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How to Grow Crystal on Limestone

Crystals take many forms, such as diamonds at one end of the scale, and sugar and salt at the other end. A crystal is made up of a series of uniform patterns of molecules or atoms. To recrystallize a solid you need to dissolve it in a solvent to create a crystalline form. Depending on the materials used, you can make either a large single crystal or a collection of tiny crystals. Using a porous material such as limestone helps draw the solution up so it can then evaporate, leaving the solid matter to form as crystals.

Things You'll Need

8 tablespoons salt
6 tablespoons liquid bluing
6 tablespoons water
6 tablespoons ammonia
Piece of limestone rock
Glass container or bowl
Petroleum jelly
Paper towels or tissues
Extra water
Food color (optional)
Protective clothing

Instructions

- 1
  Mix together 4 tablespoons each of salt, water, liquid bluing and ammonia.
- 2
  Wipe the outside edges of the glass container with petroleum jelly to stop the crystals from forming on the edges.
- 3
  Place the limestone rock in the bottom of the glass container.
- 4
  Pour the ready-made salt mixture over the limestone. Spooning it over helps the crystals grow quicker.
- 5
  Cover the container with a paper towel to stop dust from getting in, but be careful not to block off the airflow.
- 6
  Check for initial growth after a few hours. Add two tablespoons of salt to the container at end of the first day to encourage fast growth.
- 7
  Make a second mixture of salt, water, bluing and ammonia, using two tablespoons of each. Carefully add it to the container on the third day to maintain the growth of crystals. Ensure that the new mixture does not touch the growing crystals, as this can damage them.
- 8
  Gently remove the crystal on the fourth day and pat it dry with soft paper towels. Be careful not to handle it too much, as the crystal is very fragile.

Rocks & Minerals