Ingredients
- 1 clean, sturdy rock
- Epsom salt (as much as needed to saturate the solution)
- Water
- 1 heat source (stove or other suitable source)
- 1 heat-safe container for mixing and growing
- String (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the water. Bring the water to a boil using a stove or another suitable heat source. Keep children at a safe distance while the water is being heated.
- Add the sugar or salt gradually. Stir in small amounts at a time. Let each addition dissolve before adding more. Continue until the liquid cannot dissolve any more of the chosen ingredient.
- Let the solution cool slightly. Set it aside briefly before handling or transferring it.
- Prepare the rock. Place the rock in the growing container. If you want it to hang rather than rest on the bottom, tie a piece of string securely around it first.
- Pour in the solution. Carefully pour the cooled solution into the container, covering or submerging the rock.
- Choose a quiet place for the container. Set it somewhere cool and undisturbed, away from busy counters, direct handling, and accidental bumps.
- Wait for crystals to form. Leave the rock in place for several days to a few weeks. Check its progress without stirring the solution or lifting the rock.
- Remove the rock carefully. Once crystals have formed, lift the rock out gently.
Notes
Keep the finished piece somewhere dry and stable, and avoid using it as a toy or handling it frequently if you want the crystals to remain intact.
