Crystals are composed of atoms, molecules or ions organized in highly ordered structures, with unmistakable geometric shapes. When you dissolve a crystalline base, such as alum, salt or sugar, in water, you can observe the formation of crystals within a few hours. Learn how to make perfect crystals, and use them as decorations or as colored sugar crystals.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Making Crystals With Alum
Step 1. Fill a jar halfway with hot water
Make sure the jar is clean to prevent foreign substances from interfering with crystal formation.
Step 2. Dissolve some alum in the water
Pour a few tablespoons of alum into the jar and mix well until the alum has dissolved. Add more alum and continue mixing. Continue until the alum stops dissolving. Let the mixture sit for a few hours. As the water slowly evaporates, you will see alum crystals forming at the bottom of the jar.
- Alum is a mineral commonly used to preserve pickled vegetables; you can find it among the spices in the supermarket.
- You will find that you cannot dissolve more alum in the water when you see it accumulate on the bottom.
Step 3. Extract a crystal to use as a "seed" to continue the experiment
Choose the thickest and best shaped crystal. Transfer the mixture to a new, clean jar (try not to pour the undissolved alum into the new jar as well) and use tweezers to scoop the crystal from the bottom.
- If the crystals are still quite small, wait a few more hours.
- If you prefer, you can let the crystals grow in the first jar; let the mixture sit for a week. After this time, the walls of the jar should be covered with crystals.
Step 4. Tie a string around the crystal and hang it in the second jar
Use thin nylon thread or dental floss. Secure it around the crystal, then tie the other end to a pencil. Place the pencil across the opening of the jar, so that the crystal is completely immersed in the solution.
Step 5. Let the crystal grow for a week
Once the crystal has grown to the desired size and shape, remove it from the water. Untie the knot and admire the crystal you created.
Method 2 of 3: Create Crystal Ornaments
Step 1. Make a solution of water and alum
Fill a jar of water halfway, and dissolve a few tablespoons of alum in the water. Keep adding alum until it stops dissolving.
- You can also use sodium salt or borate instead of alum.
- If you want to make ornaments of different colors, divide the solution into several jars.
Step 2. Mix food coloring into the solution
Add a few drops of red, blue, yellow, green dye or any color of your choice. If you have divided the solution into several jars, add a different color to each jar.
- Combine different colors in the same jar to create a unique color. For example, add 4 drops of yellow and 1 drop of blue to get a nice pale green, or combine red and blue to get purple.
- If you want to create specific ornaments for a holiday, give your solutions colors to match the typical decorations of the party.
Step 3. Fold the pipe cleaners to get ornamental figures
Create trees, stars, snowflakes, pumpkins or a shape of your own imagination. Create defined and recognizable shapes, keeping in mind that the pipe cleaners will then be covered with several layers of crystals and will therefore have thicker edges.
Step 4. Hang the pipe cleaners on the edge of the jar
Dip the decorative part of each pipe cleaner well into the center of the jar so that it does not touch the edges or bottom of the container. Hook the other end of the pipe cleaner and hang it on the edge of the jar.
- If you have many jars with different colors, assign each decoration to the appropriate color based on the shape. For example, if you have a tree-shaped pipe cleaner, hang it in the jar with the green solution.
- If you decide to hang more than one decoration in a jar, make sure they don't touch.
Step 5. Wait for the crystals to form
Let the decorations sit in the jars for a week or two, until the crystals have reached the desired size. When you are happy with the look of your decorations, remove them from the jar. After drying them with a rag, they are ready to hang.
Method 3 of 3: Create Sugar Crystals
Step 1. Make a solution of water and sugar
To create these sweets, use sugar as a crystalline base. Fill a jar halfway with hot water and add sugar until it stops dissolving.
- The most commonly used sugar is granulated sugar, but you can try brown sugar, raw sugar, and other types of sugar.
- Don't use artificial sweeteners in place of sugar.
Step 2. Add dyes and flavors to the solution
For even more inviting crystals, add a few drops of food coloring and natural flavors to the solution. Try these combinations or create your own original formula:
- Red dye and cinnamon flavor.
- Yellow dye and lemon flavor.
- Green dye and mint flavor.
- Blue dye and raspberry flavor.
Step 3. Suspend some wooden sticks in the solution
Place the sticks in the jar and rest the dry ends against the edge of the jar.
Step 4. Cover the jar with cellophane
Sugar could attract insects. Cover the jars to keep them from filling up with critters.
Step 5. Let it sit
After a couple of weeks, the sticks will be covered with beautiful crystals. Take them out of the jars, put them to dry, and enjoy your candy canes alone or with your friends.
