Let's Cultivate... Crystals! (Part 1)

I know the title sounds weird, crystal cultivation, but don't think that we are planting crystal seeds in a pot and expect to get some crystal plants. I'm talking about a cool series, KidzLabs, that has all kind of STEM-related kits that make the perfect gift for young and, why not, older children (and by older I mean adults like me).

Browsing through the Internet I found this set:

And I could not miss the chance of buying it (a woman's consuming addiction is not confined in shoes and clothes).

The kit came two days after my order. It cost a little less than 15€ (~18 USD) and had three types of crystal growing ingredients: A glow-in-the-dark moon crystal cluster, an aquamarine crystal and a crystal snow tree.

I bought mine from a greek e-shop, but I saw that Amazon sells the same package for 70$!! If you want to get one too, do some better searching first.

The box also contained a stirring spoon and bowl and three bowls for each crystal to grow in.

There was also a base for the snow tree and another one for the moon crystal.

All you need to get from your "lab" is a bowl with hot water, an apron, your protective gloves and glasses... oh! I almost forgot and lots, lots of enthusiasm!

Basic concepts we are taught

Crystals:

Solids made from atoms in a systematic and repeating internal structure.

Crystal climbing:

Liquid gets into the tiny gaps of air and crystal flakes start forming as the liquid evaporates. This movement of the liquid is also known as capillary action.

Why does water helps them grow:

The hot water breaks down the crystal powder and we are left with a saturated solution (satured because further stirring won't help the powder into dissolving any more). As the water gradually cools down and evaporates, the particles from the powder start joiing together in an organised way forming crystal shapes.

What makes the moon crystal glow:

Although there are fluorescent crystals in nature, the moon crystal glows in the dark because there is a glowing pigment in its chemical components. The glowing pigment shines its light through the transparent crystals just like an optic fibre.

I haven't had the time to experiment yet, but I'll be putting my protective gloves on pretty soon, so stay tuned! I can't wait to decorate my desk with them!

*All the information above is a summary of the instruction paper that was in the kit.
* Images by Hive account@ruth-girl.