Video:Borax Crystal Snowflakes

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Transcript:Borax Crystal Snowflakes

Hi, I'm Dr. Anne Helmenstine for About.com. I'm going to show you how to grow borax crystals around a snowflake shape so you can make your own borax crystal snowflakes.

What You Need to Make Borax Crystal Snowflakes

For this project you will need borax, which is sold as a laundry booster and cleaner, and a pipe cleaner. You'll also need hot water, a cup or glass, scissors, and a measuring spoon.

Make the Snowflake Shape

Make the snowflake by cutting a pipe cleaner into three pieces. You can use a colored pipe cleaner if you want a colored crystal snowflake. Twist the pieces together at their centers and bend the ends outward to make a snowflake shape. Trim the snowflake so that it will fit inside your cup. I like to leave one arm long so that I can hang the snowflake in the cup.

Mix the Crystal Growing Solution

Stir 3 tablespoons of borax into 1 cup of very hot water. It's fine if there is a little undissolved borax. Pour the crystal growing solution into the cup, hang the snowflake so that it doesn't touch the sides or bottom of the container, and allow the crystals to grow undisturbed for several hours or overnight.

Use Your Borax Crystal Snowflake for Decoration

Remove the borax crystal snowflake and use it however you like. The snowflakes make pretty decorations.

Did you enjoy this easy crystal-growing project? You can find more crystal projects if you visit me on the web at About.com. Thanks for watching!