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List of Crystals That Can Be Grown From Home

Many kinds of crystals can be grown at home, from a variety of base chemicals. Some crystals can be made from household products, while others require the purchase of specific chemical compounds. Most home crystal-growing is done by dissolving a chemical in water, either by allowing this solution to evaporate and leave crystals behind or by growing a larger crystal in the solution from a "seed."

Alum Crystals
- Alum (aluminium potassium sulphate) crystals are among the easiest crystals to grow at home. The chemical used--alum--is a common compound that is available at the grocery store. Alum is nontoxic and can be used to grow a big, colorless crystal.
Borax Crystals
- Borax is another household chemical which can be used to grow colorless crystals at home. Borax is found in the laundry soap section of the supermarket.
Charcoal Crystal Garden
- Charcoal can be used as a base to grow a garden of crystals, which may be colored with food coloring. Ammonia and salt are also needed to grow this kind of crystal. The ingredients and the growing garden are toxic, so they should be kept away from young children and pets.
Potassium Ferricyanide Crystals
- Red-colored crystals can be grown without the use of dye, from potassium ferricyanide. Children should not be allowed to eat or drink the chemical and its aqueous solution, but it is safe to dispose of in a household drain.
Potassium Dichromate Crystals
- Potassium dichromate crystals grow in a natural orange color. These crystals are more difficult to grow at home, and due to their toxicity should not be ingested or touched. The crystals and solution must be disposed of safely.

Rocks & Minerals