1. You need 200 ml (6.7 fl oz) of hot water to make the crystal solution. Use boiling water (at 100ºC (212°F)) if possible, as this makes the crystals
grow best. Use a measuring jug to measure and pour the hot water into the stirring bowl. (Do not use the other containers for this purpose, as
the hot water will deform thin plastic.)
2. Add the contents of the large bag (the white crystal compound) to the water. Stir until all the powder has dissolved to make a solution.
3. Allow 15 minutes for the solution to cool in the bowl until it is just warm (ideally around 40°C (104°F), slightly warmer than body temperature).
Remarks: This solution will be used for the next three crystal growing activities, so be aware of the usage per instruction. Do not dispose of it
until the last activity is done.
During the growing process, some small crystal flakes may
start to grow around the inner wall of the transparent cover.
This is known as Crystal climbing. The crystal flakes are formed
because liquid moves up through the tiny gaps between the
crystals themselves and between the crystals and the
transparent cover (this movement is called capillary action),
and then as the water evaporates, it allows crystal flakes to
grow. If this happens, gently remove the small crystals without disturbing the solution,
or these small crystal flakes eventually growing out of the transparent covers and
staining the table top.
H. WHAT IS CRYSTAL CLIMBING?
Safety messages: Adult supervision is required at all times. As the solution and the crystals may stain, cover your work area with old newspaper
beforehand. Take great care with hot water and solutions. Be careful when handling your crystals, as the spines are very sharp and are easily broken!
Before you start, make sure you get all the materials for each section ready, as the following three activities are to be carried out one after the other.
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2
E. PREPARATION – MIXING THE CRYSTAL SOLUTION
3
200ml
4
100°C / 212°F
40°C / 104°F
X2
2
3
1. Pour the crystal solution into the hexagonal transparent cover until it reaches the marked level.
(Note: the leftover solution will be used in Section I.) Allow 30 minutes for the solution to stabilise.
2. Take the small bag containing the blue seeding mixture. Using the stirring spoon (which should be clean and dry before use), gently
sprinkle 2 spoonfuls of the seeding mixture over the surface of the warm solution. The particles should sink and spread evenly over the
base of the container. DO NOT STIR THE SOLUTION. Try not to disturb any of the seeding mixture that may have fallen to the bottom
of the container. Note: handle the seeding mixture with care, as the pigment may cause stains.
3. Similar to the Glow-in-the-dark Moon Crystal Cluster, the Aquamarine Crystals needs a temperature above 20°C (68°F) to grow
properly. Carefully put the transparent cover somewhere warm and undisturbed. Place a paper towel under the transparent covers as a
mat. In normal conditions, the crystals will start to grow on the first day and reach a width of about 30 mm (about 1.2 inches) and a height
of about 25 mm (about 1 inch) in 4 to 7 days. If the environment is cold or humid, it will take longer for them to grow – even weeks, in
some cases – so be patient! It will be worth the wait!
4. When the crystals have reached the size described above, drain away the remaining solution. Use the spoon to hold the crystals in
the transparent cover as you tip it. Once the solution is poured away, you cannot use it again, so BE SURE YOUR CRYSTALS HAVE
GROWN BEFORE YOU POUR AWAY THE SOLUTION. Check by shining a torch into the solution to look.
5. Gently rinse the crystals with fresh water for a few seconds, and pour away the water. Do not wash them for too long, or they will
dissolve. Carefully remove the crystals and let them dry on a paper towel. Rinse the transparent cover with fresh water and set aside.
6. When the crystals and the transparent cover are completely dry, put the crystals on the hexagonal display base and cover them with
the transparent cover to protect against moisture. Congratulations! Your Aquamarine Crystals set is complete. Display it as part of your
crystal collection!
HOW DO THESE CRYSTALS GROW?
When you add the crystal compound to hot water, it breaks up into tiny particles, far too
small to see, in the water. The liquid is then called a solution of the powder. In fact, it’s called a saturated solution, because if you
try to stir in more powder, no more will dissolve. Slowly, as the water cools and some evaporates, it can’t keep all the particles
dissolved, and some begin joining together again. The particles join up in an organised way, making the crystals that you see, with
straight edges and flat faces.
WHY DOES THE MOON CRYSTAL CLUSTER GLOW?
The Moon Crystal Cluster glows because of its chemical components, which contain
glowing pigment. This pigment absorbs and stores the energy of the light that hits it, and then slowly releases that energy over time, creating
a dim glow. Since the crystals are transparent, the glow shines through them, like optic fibres.
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5
CR
YST
AL
COMPOUND
G. ACTIVITY 2 - GROWING THE AQUAMARINE CRYSTALS
Crystal flakes
6
4
5
6
1. Place the glow-in-the-dark moon crystal base into the square transparent cover. Next, pour the warm crystal solution into the square
transparent cover until it reaches the marked level. (Note: the leftover solution will be used in Sections G & I.) The crystal base may float at first.
After it soaks up some solution, it will gradually sink. Then, using the spoon, position it at the centre of the transparent cover.
2. The Glow-in-the-dark Moon Crystal Cluster needs a temperature above 20°C (68°F) to grow properly, so carefully put the transparent cover
in a warm room, or on top of your refrigerator. Place a piece of kitchen paper under the transparent cover as a mat. Choose a place where it will
remain warm and undisturbed for at least 15 hours, to allow the crystals to start growing.
3. The Glow-in-the-dark Moon Crystal Cluster will grow enough to be visible on the first day, and then slowly cover the whole surface of the base
and reach a height of 30 mm (about 1.2 inches). The growing process takes 7-10 days. The size will vary depending on the environment in which
the crystals are growing. If you prefer small crystals, you may stop the growing process earlier.
4. When the crystals have reached the size described above, drain away the remaining solution, using the spoon to hold the crystals in the
transparent cover as you tip it. Once the solution is poured away, you cannot use it again, so BE SURE YOUR CRYSTALS HAVE GROWN
BEFORE YOU POUR AWAY THE SOLUTION. Due to the rough texture of the crystal base, the grown crystals would look thin and sharp, unlike
the ones you will grow in the next section.
5. Gently rinse the crystals with fresh water for a few seconds, and pour away the water. Do not wash them for too long or they will dissolve.
Carefully remove the crystals and let them dry on a paper towel. Rinse the transparent cover with fresh water and set aside.
6. When the crystals and the transparent cover are completely dry, put the crystals on the square display base and cover them with the
transparent cover to protect against moisture. Congratulations! Your Glow-in-the-dark Moon Crystal Cluster is complete. Display them as part of
your crystal collection. Briefly expose it to the room’s light or to the light of a torch for a minute and watch it glow!
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3
7
F. ACTIVITY 1 – GROWING THE GLOW-IN-THE-DARK MOON CRYSTAL CLUSTER
1
1
20°C
68°F
20°C
68°F
15 hrs
15 mins
30 mins
20°C
68°F
