How to Make Crystals Quickly

Fast Alum Crystals

• 1

  Pour some warm water into a clear glass jar. The water should be hot, but not so hot that you can't touch it.

• 2

  Stir spoonfuls of alum (available in grocery stores) into the warm water until it stops dissolving and starts settling on the bottom of the jar. This ensures that enough alum is dissolved in the water to form crystals.

• 3

  Tie a piece of nylon thread around the middle of a skewer and lower it into the solution, making sure the bottom of the thread does not touch the bottom of the jar. Set the jar in a warm place overnight.

• 4

  Examine your thread the next morning. Crystals should be beginning to form on the end of the thread. Since nylon is smooth, a single, large crystal will continue to grow on the end of the thread until all of the water evaporates. Remove the small crystal or let it grow bigger.

Toothpick Rock Candy

• 5

  Simmer water over a low flame and dissolve sugar in it until it forms a thin syrup. Carefully pour this mixture into a large glass jar. If desired, add food coloring and a flavor extract for your candy.

• 6

  Secure several toothpicks to several skewers with craft wire. Lay the skewers across the mouth of the jar so that the toothpicks are immersed about halfway into the solution.

• 7

  Wait about 10 minutes for crystals to begin to form. When the crystals are thick and high enough for your liking, remove them from the jar. You can keep adding toothpicks until the syrup cools completely.