Instant Crystals
Making Silicate Crystals
Using a 50% solution of a liquid called water glass, it is possible to make a crystal garden that, literally, grows before your eyes. The crystals that form are called silicates. They are made as a result of a chemical reaction between the water glass and the crystals that are added to the solution.
The crystals form quite amazing shapes and colours. If you click here, you may just make out some crystals growing in the mixture (look carefully on the right-hand side of the beaker). Suitable crystals to add to the water glass included copper sulphate, iron chloride and iron sulphate.
Here are some more examples of our crystal gardens...
