Video:How to Grow Alum Crystals
with Anne Marie HelmenstineIf you've ever wanted to grow crystals, but were afraid they wouldn't work, then this is the perfect crystal-growing project for you. Alum crystals are beautiful, non-toxic and are easy and quick to grow. See how you can grow your own alum crystals.See Transcript
Transcript:How to Grow Alum Crystals
Hi, I'm Dr. Anne Helmenstine for About.com. If you've wanted to grow your own crystals, but were afraid they would be hard to grow or would take a long time, then I've got the perfect crystal project for you to try. Grow alum crystals!Why Alum Crystals Are Good Crystals to Grow
Alum crystals are beautiful and extremely easy and safe to grow. All it took to grow these crystals was mixing alum with hot tap water and waiting a few hours. The alum is a kitchen spice used to make pickles crispy, so the project and the crystals are non-toxic.Growing Alum Crystals
All you need to grow alum crystals is one half cup of hot tap water plus 2-1/2 tablespoons of alum. Dissolve the alum in the water and allow the solution to sit undisturbed for a few hours. That's all it takes!What to Expect
As you watch your crystals grow, you can expect to see a few large single crystals and some clumps of smaller crystals. When you are happy with the crystals, just take them out and examine them or display them. It's that easy!I hope you've enjoyed this easy crystal project. You can find more projects by visiting me on the web at About.com. Thanks for watching!
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