Create Your Own Crystals Jun 2026

Sometimes crystal growing is finicky. Here is how to fix common problems:

You can use standard food coloring, but be aware that the color usually ends up trapped between the crystals rather than inside them. For Borax, use a colored pipe cleaner to give the crystal an inner glow. create your own crystals

You need a high concentration—roughly 3 parts sugar to 1 part water . Sometimes crystal growing is finicky

Pick the largest, most perfect single crystal from the batch. You need a high concentration—roughly 3 parts sugar

Using distilled water instead of tap water prevents impurities from clouding your crystals.

Tie a string to your shape and tie the other end to a pencil. Rest the pencil across the mouth of the jar so the shape hangs inside without touching the bottom or sides.

Tie a thin nylon thread (fishing line works best) around that single crystal and suspend it in a fresh, room-temperature saturated Alum solution.

Sometimes crystal growing is finicky. Here is how to fix common problems:

You can use standard food coloring, but be aware that the color usually ends up trapped between the crystals rather than inside them. For Borax, use a colored pipe cleaner to give the crystal an inner glow.

You need a high concentration—roughly 3 parts sugar to 1 part water .

Pick the largest, most perfect single crystal from the batch.

Using distilled water instead of tap water prevents impurities from clouding your crystals.

Tie a string to your shape and tie the other end to a pencil. Rest the pencil across the mouth of the jar so the shape hangs inside without touching the bottom or sides.

Tie a thin nylon thread (fishing line works best) around that single crystal and suspend it in a fresh, room-temperature saturated Alum solution.