How To | Make Crystals At Home

| Material | Crystal Shape | Time | Difficulty | Edible? | |----------|--------------|------|------------|---------| | Table salt | Tiny cubes | Several days | Medium | Yes | | Sugar (rock candy) | Large, rough prisms | 5–7 days | Easy | Yes | | Borax | Tetrahedral clusters | 4–12 hours | Very easy | No (toxic if ingested) | | Epsom salt | Long needles | 2–4 hours | Very easy | No (laxative effect) | | Alum | Octahedrons, very clear | 2–3 days | Medium | No |

If you don’t want to wait days, Epsom salts (found in the pharmacy section) can produce a jar full of needle-like crystals in just a few hours using your refrigerator. ½ cup Epsom salt ½ cup very hot tap water A drop of food coloring (optional) Instructions: how to make crystals at home

Let the jar sit uncovered overnight. By morning, you’ll see small "seed crystals" at the bottom. | Material | Crystal Shape | Time | Difficulty | Edible

Here is a comprehensive guide to mastering the art of home crystal growing. The Science: Why Do Crystals Grow? By morning, you’ll see small "seed crystals" at the bottom

Alum is a pickling spice found in the grocery store baking aisle. It is the gold standard for beginners because it grows large, clear, diamond-like structures very quickly. 2 ½ tablespoons of Alum powder 1 cup of very hot water A clean glass jar A popsicle stick and nylon fishing line (or thin string) Instructions: