How To Make Crystals With Bluing

Growing crystals is a fun and educational project that kids enjoy. As the water from the solution evaporates with the help of ammonia, the salt crystals begin to form around the particles left by the bluing. Food coloring adds to the beauty of the forming crystals that appear to grow out of the porous material of the coal–which allows the liquid containing bluing and salt to be drawn up in a capillary action.

Step 1

Break up several pieces of coal or charcoal briquettes with a hammer. Pieces of about one inch work well.

Step 2

Soak the pieces in water in a small basin for three to five minutes.

Step 3

Remove the pieces and layer them in the glass pie plate.

Step 1

Measure three tablespoons of ammonia into the jar.

Step 2

Measure six tablespoons of bluing into the jar.

Step 3

Measure three tablespoons of non-iodized salt into the jar.

Step 4

Stir carefully with the wooden spoon until thoroughly mixed and the salt has dissolved.

Step 1

Pour the liquid solution slowly over the coal until it is all covered.

Step 2

Add two tablespoons of water to the empty jar and swish it around to remove any remaining chemicals. Pour this in the pie plate.

Step 3

Place drops of food coloring randomly over the coal.

Step 4

Sprinkle two tablespoons of salt over the top of the saturated coal.

Step 5

Place the dish in a location where it is safe and undisturbed. After 48 hours, add an additional mixture of two tablespoons each of ammonia, bluing and water. After another 24 hours, repeat this step. It takes between two days and two weeks for crystals to grow.