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How to Make Large Crystals

Growing crystals is a staple of every middle school science fair; it is done so frequently because both the process and the end results are fascinating. You may be surprised at just how many different types of chemicals can produce spectacular crystal formations. While everyone may not be able to pull out some copper sulfate from the pantry, you can grow very large crystals from one of the most common kitchen items.

Things You'll Need

1 cup water
3 cups sugar
Food coloring (optional)
Clean glass jar
Pencil
String
Paperclip

Instructions

- 1
  Boil the water.
- 2
  Add sugar in teaspoon increments, or by thirds, emptying one cup at a time into your hot water. You should not dump the entire amount of sugar into the hot water at once. Doing so will cause the water temperature to drop too quickly to completely dissolve all of the sugar.
  If you find that the water is cooling before you have added all of your sugar, you may reheat the water.
- 3
  Color the solution with food coloring if desired.
- 4
  Pour the sugar water solution into a clean glass jar.
- 5
  Tie a length of string to a pencil and attach a paperclip to the other end of the string. Place the pencil horizontally across the opening of the jar so that the paperclip sits near the bottom of the jar.The string should come close to the bottom of the jar, but be short enough so the attached paperclip does not come in contact with the bottom.
- 6
  Place the jar in an area where it will not be disturbed for several days. You will begin to see the beginnings of crystals forming on the paperclip and string in about a day. Once your crystals' growth has slowed, you can empty the jar and repeat the process of creating the sugar water solution to grow your crystals larger.
  Once the new sugar water has cooled to room temperature, you can then transfer it back into the original jar with your crystals placed back in the water. They will continue to grow as long as there is sugar in the water.
  Repeat this process as many times as you wish, until you achieve the desired size.

Rocks & Minerals