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How to Make a Charcoal Crystal Garden

Nature can create beautiful things. Unfortunately for us, there aren't enough years in a lifetime to see nature complete this whole process--we usually only see the finished product. Using a few simple things you can get from the store, however, will allow you to witness one of nature's reactions without having to live 10 lifetimes. Performing this simple chemical reaction will make a beautiful charcoal crystal garden grow before your very eyes.

Things You'll Need

Non-iodized Salt
Ammonia
Bluing
Charcoal briquettes (pieces of sponge, brick and porous rock work as well)
Distilled water
Food coloring
Non-metal pie plate (glass works well)
Measuring spoons
Jar

Instructions

- 1
  Put pieces of your charcoal briquettes (or whichever material you are using) into an even layer on the bottom of your pie plate. The pieces should be around 1 inch in diameter. If necessary, carefully use a hammer to break the material into the proper size.
- 2
  Sprinkle the water onto the briquettes in the plate. Continue doing this until the briquettes are thoroughly dampened. Drain any excess water.
- 3
  Mix 3 tbsp. ammonia, 6 tbsp. bluing and 3 tbsp. non-iodized salt into the empty jar. Begin stirring the mixture until the salt is completely dissolved. Pour the mixture over the briquettes that you've dampened earlier.
- 4
  Pour some water (not much) into the jar after you've poured out the solution you mixed. Swirl the jar around a bit so that the water gets any chemicals that were left in the jar. Pour this water onto the briquettes in the plate as well.
- 5
  Add a few drops of food coloring over the briquettes, which will be the surface of your crystal garden. Only put a drop of food coloring in each spot that you choose. If you do not pour food coloring onto a specific spot, then that area of your garden will be white. Now is the time to be creative. Bright colors will make your garden very colorful. Pour about 2 tbsp. all over the surface of your crystal garden.
- 6
  Place your crystal garden in an area where it won't be disturbed.
- 7
  Make a mixture of water, bluing and ammonia. Use 2 tbsp. of each ingredient. Pour the mixture into the bottom of the pie plate on days 2 and 3. Make sure not to disturb the crystals that are already growing in the plate. Ensure that the plate stays undisturbed, and enjoy watching your crystal garden grow.

Rocks & Minerals