How to Grow Alum Crystals

[sweetsherrybaby]

what happens if you use tap water will it make a difference?

[ETechn0]

Is it safe to Eat?

[annemf926]

Thank you so much!! This is very helpful!

[annemf926]

If you form a single crystal, can you put a string around it and will it continue to grow around the string in the solution? Also, when you remove it from the solution, will it break and/or dissovlve? How do you keep it safe from harm after it's grown?

[futsang]

@annemf926 Yes, you can put a string around the crystal. It will continue to grow. The crystals last pretty much forever once removed from the solution, but you need to protect it from humidity, which will cloud its surface over time.

[GaVvAnAtOr]

If i put one of the seeds in the old batch will it grow bigger

[theziggey]

how strong are these crystals?? They don't dissolve in water do they?

[futsang]

@theziggey Yes, they dissolve in water.

[dipolargryphon]

Awsome

[were2cuteforu]

How would i remove the rock from underneath the crystal?? please respond ASAP my project is due before March 7th! :) thanks!

[futsang]

@were2cuteforu These crystals are pretty easy to scrape off of a surface using your fingernail.

[starfaery]

If its aluminium it's not god for your health. Use applecidervinnegar as a deo.

[kravmaga99]

I've tried this multiple times, and I only get very small crystals along the bottom of the cup/bowl. I've never got the larger crystals described here. Any suggestions?

[Khamila1]

@kravmaga99 Use one of the smaller crystals you grew as a "seed" in a second batch and you can get larger crystals.

[paldonla]

i have 2 questions.

1. if you had used less alum, how would that affected your crystal's growth?

2. do you think it would have taken the same amount of time if you could have somehow kept the solution hotter?

[sirlagsalot101]

Thanks now i can make my gf jewelry i could use this for tiny dimonds and a chemistry trick i know to turn copper in to gold lol if only the copper kept looking like it was gold just kidding lol my gf would never for give me great vid by the way im so going to try to make them maybe ill post a vid of it

[BeyBladeStage]

Can i use half the amount of alum and water?

[cindydusek]

Can you add food coloring to make colored crystals? I have only seen clear ones.

[imationbreiz]

i have a science project now i have an idea .... thank you..

[hydrogeddonn]

I've been seeing multiple crystal vids and i was wondering is salt + borax + alum safe?

[futsang]

@hydrogeddonn I would expect the mixture to be safe and to produce non-toxic crystals.

[2koFlip]

I tried doing this and even after 12 hours I still just have a watery solution. I am using 1/2 cup of water and 2-1/2 teaspoons of alum. I don't see any crystals starting to grow. Any help?

[futsang]

@2koFlip You need more alum. It's 2-1/2 tablespoons, not teaspoons.

[ibellew1]

What do you mean by a seed? please respond ASAP. Great vid by the way

[futsang]

@ibellew1 A seed is a small crystal you use in order to grow a larger crystal. Crystals grow preferentially on a pre-existing crystal rather than on the sides or bottom of the container.

[dragonland58]

somone post a vid on this

finishde product

[tacoterminator]

Woah I gotta try this! PS I love how you did your video like that, and the music too! What music is that?? I might use it for some of my videos to it's kind of catchy :D!

[futsang]

@tacoterminator Thanks :) I composed that music for the video. Glad you liked it! You're welcome to use it as long as you give credit (Azareal). A link to my YouTube channel would be greatly appreciated.

[calvins2003]

Are these brittle or could you make jewlry out of them?

[futsang]

@calvins2003 They aren't particularly brittle, but they are water soluble, so perspiration or rain would damage them.

[calvins2003]

@futsang They are so beautiful! Have you tried anything to help preserve them, like varnish or something?

[futsang]

@calvins2003 Actually yes. They do well preserved with clear nail polish. You could probably use an acrylic floor polish, too, but be careful about the water dissolving too much crystal. I have the crystals grown for this video sitting on my desk (untreated) and they have not discolored or dulled. As long as you keep them away from dust and humidity you aren't likely to need a preservative.

[IvanderHaisley]

@futsang what if the water to alum ratio is high ...

[futsang]

@IvanderHaisley If you have too much water then the alum will remain in solution. You're aiming for a saturated solution to promote crystallization. If you made the solution with too much water, then you can try to boil some off (it won't harm the alum) or you can wait for it to evaporate naturally.

[IvanderHaisley]

@futsang i tried freezing it :D (the water alum )

[Gamer7511]

Where do you get "alum" ?

[futsang]

@Gamer7511 In the US it is sold in grocery stores in the spices/baking section.

[transformerXXX7]

How do you make a pyramid Shape Alum crystal? and other shapes? This could be my chemistry project

[futsang]

@transformerXXX7 It's hard to get the crystal to grow in exactly the form you want, but you can experiment with the rate of cooling and the final temperature of the solution since these will affect crystallization. Also, you're more likely to see the perfect octahedral form if you grow the crystal suspended in the solution (on nylon fishing line, for example) than if it is grown on a flat surface.

[transformerXXX7]

@futsang Would using fan or cooling them in a fridge make a difference?

[futsang]

@transformerXXX7 Yes to both questions. Using a fan would increase the rate of evaporation, which increases the concentration of the solution and may speed the rate of crystal deposition. Putting the crystals in the fridge probably would slow the rate of crystal growth. My guess would be you'd be more likely to get perfect crystals in the cooler environment. The rate of cooling is important, too, since solubility depends on temperature.