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How to Create Crystals

When fluids in nature evaporate, they leave behind minerals and elements that we call crystals. The same thing happens when the water in a mineral solution begins to evaporate. Create your own crystals by mixing water with alum, sugar or salt and providing a foundation object for the crystals to grow on. Use skewers as foundations for rock candy (sugar crystals), pipe cleaners to make original shapes, wicks for strings of crystals and nylon thread for large, single crystals.

Things You'll Need

Alum, salt or sugar
Skewer, wick, pipe cleaner or nylon thread
Warm water
Glass jar with lid
Spoon
Pencil
Modeling clay
Food coloring (optional)
Cooking extracts (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Heat some water in a microwave until it feels hot but is not hot enough to burn your skin.
- 2
  Spoon and stir alum, salt or sugar into the water until it stops dissolving and begins settling on the bottom of the jar.
- 3
  Secure a skewer in the lid of the jar by poking a hole in the lid, sliding the skewer through and pinching modeling clay around it on the top of the lid. Alternately, wrap or tie a wick, pipe cleaner or nylon thread around a pencil.
- 4
  Place the lid or pencil on the mouth of the jar. Make sure your foundation piece is immersed in the solution but does not touch the bottom.
- 5
  Place your jar in a warm area overnight.
- 6
  Check on your solution in the morning. Crystals should be beginning to form on the tip or length of your foundation medium. You can either remove the crystals at this point or allow them to grow until all of the water evaporates.

Rocks & Minerals