Borax Crystal Heart Gems
Create beautiful heart-shaped gems from Borax crystals through a simple and rewarding crafting process that combines science and artistry.
Ingredients
Materials
- 1 cup Borax Used as the primary crystal growth medium.
- 3 cups boiling water Solvent for dissolving Borax.
- as needed pieces Pipe cleaners (preferably in desired colors) Form the shape of the gems.
- as needed length String or fishing line For hanging the finished gems.
- 1 unit wide-mouth jar or glass container To hold the crystal solution.
- 1 unit pencil or stick To suspend the pipe cleaner in the solution.
- a few drops Food coloring (optional) For adding color to the gems.
Instructions
Preparation
- Twist together several pipe cleaners to form a heart shape, leaving a small loop at the top for hanging.
Mix Solution
- In a bowl or container, carefully mix 1 cup of Borax into 3 cups of boiling water. Stir until Borax is fully dissolved.
Add Color
- If desired, add a few drops of food coloring to the solution for colorful gems.
Suspend the Heart
- Tie the loop of the heart-shaped pipe cleaner to a pencil or stick and rest it across the mouth of the jar so that the heart dangles in the solution.
Observe Crystal Growth
- Allow the setup to sit undisturbed for about 6-12 hours or overnight to watch crystals form.
Remove and Dry
- Once crystals have grown to your liking, remove the heart from the solution and allow it to dry on a paper towel.
Notes
Use different shaped cookie cutters for various shapes. Experiment with colors of food coloring for a rainbow effect. Add glitter for extra sparkle.