Crystal Ornaments
Create stunning and customizable crystal ornaments using simple materials, providing a fun, educational experience about crystallization.
Ingredients
Materials
- 1 cup Borax Necessary for crystallization.
- 2 cups Water To create the solution.
- various colors Pipe cleaners To form the shapes of the ornaments.
- 1 Glass jar or heatproof container To hold the solution and ornament.
- 1 String or fishing line For hanging the ornaments.
- 1 Pencil or stick To suspend the ornament in the jar.
- optional Food coloring To color the crystals.
Instructions
Preparation
- Twist pipe cleaners into your desired shapes (e.g., stars, hearts, or simple spirals). Make sure to leave a bit of string at the top for hanging later.
Mix the Solution
- In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Stir in 1 cup of Borax until it dissolves completely. Handle the hot solution carefully and add food coloring if desired.
Set up your Ornaments
- Tie the shape you created to a pencil or stick. Place the pencil across the top of the jar so the shape hangs in the Borax solution without touching the sides or bottom.
Let the Crystals Form
- Set the jar in a place where it won’t be disturbed. Leave it undisturbed overnight or for 24 hours for crystals to grow.
Remove and Dry
- Carefully remove the ornament from the solution and let it dry on a paper towel. Your crystal ornament is now complete and ready to display!
Notes
Experiment with different shapes and sizes of pipe cleaners for unique designs. Use various colored food coloring for multi-colored crystals. If you want larger crystals, use a wider container and more Borax solution.