Fast and Fun Crystal Growing for Beginners (2024)

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Beginner Crystal Growing Projects

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Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Chemistry Expert

Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.

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Updated on May 11, 2018

Are you interested in growing crystals, but unsure where to start? This is a list of the best crystal growing projects for beginners or anyone seeking top crystals projects based on simplicity, safety, and great results.

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Borax Snowflake

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Borax is sold as a laundry booster or as an insecticide. You don't have to grow these crystals in a snowflake shape, but that tends to be more interesting than simply growing crystals on a string. These crystals grow overnight, so you can get quick results.

Crystal Window "Frost"

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This non-toxic crystal "frost" grows on windows (or a glass plate or mirror) in minutes. The project is easy and reliable and produces interesting results.

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Alum Crystals

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Alum is found with pickling spices in the grocery store. These crystals are probably the easiest and largest crystals you can grow. You can get good results with these crystals overnight or grow a big crystal within a couple of days.

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Salt and Vinegar Crystals

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These crystals require two easy-to-find ingredients. You can use food coloring to grow a crystal garden in a rainbow of colors.

Read MoreQuick Crystal Projects for Instant MagicBy Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

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Magic Rocks

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If you ask people about their favorite crystal growing projects, most will mention Magic Rocks. Technically, the fanciful towers produced by Magic Rocks aren't crystals, but there is no denying they are easy and fun to grow.

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Epsom Salt Crystals

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Epsom salts are found with cleaners, bath salts, and in the pharmacy sections of most stores so you shouldn't have any trouble locating them. These crystals grow quickly and easily. If the conditions are right, you can get growth in mere minutes. Usually you'll see crystal growth overnight.

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Rock Candy

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Rock candy is another name for sugar crystals. These crystals take a bit more time to grow than the other crystals on this list, but the advantage is you get to eat them when you are done.

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Magic Crystal Tree

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This is a crystal kit that you purchase that allows you to grow a crystal-encrusted tree while you watch. This is one of my favorite crystal kits because the crystals grow so quickly and the results are memorable.

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Patio Table Crystals

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If you splash a non-toxic crystal solution onto a hot glass patio table, you can get sparkling crystal creations. These crystals are a lot of fun for kids. When you are done growing crystals, spray off the table with a garden hose.

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Salt Crystal Rings and Ferns

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Salt crystals rings are an instant gratification project. These crystals don't grow very big, but they do grow while you watch. Add food coloring if you want colored crystals.

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Great Crystal Kits

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These kits contain safe chemicals and include everything you need to grow crystals except water. There are kits for growing specific types of crystals or huge kits that give you enough projects to keep yourself busy for a long time.

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Refrigerator Crystals

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It only takes a few hours to grow these needle-like crystals in a cup in your refrigerator. You can make the crystals any color you like.

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Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Best Crystals for Beginners." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/best-crystals-for-beginners-606260.Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2023, April 5). Best Crystals for Beginners. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/best-crystals-for-beginners-606260Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Best Crystals for Beginners." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/best-crystals-for-beginners-606260 (accessed June 7, 2024).