Following these four simple steps will help you grow crystals for snowflakes, other decorations or create a cool school science project.
What You Need
You only need a few supplies to grow a borax crystal snowflake:
A deep glass or plastic container with a large openingMeasuring spoonsPencilBit of wire or a twist tieChenille craft sticksLaundry boraxHot waterLiquid food coloring (optional)Paper towel
The container you choose should be deep enough so that the base structure created from the chenille craft sticks can be completely covered by the water and borax solution without touching the bottom of the container. It should also be wide enough so that the base structure does not touch the sides of the container. This will allow perfectly formed crystals to grow and avoid breakage when you remove the snowflake from the container. If you would like to create colored crystals, just add a bit of liquid food coloring to the water and borax solution.
How Borax Crystals Form
Borax has a solubility of 5.8 grams per 100 milliliters of solution or a 5.8 percent concentration in a room temperature water solution. However, as the water temperature increases, more borax will dissolve. Then as the hot water and dissolved borax solution cool to room temperature, it becomes supersaturated. Supersaturated solutions are unstable and the excess borax will separate and cling to and crystallize on any textured surface. Remember, the shape should be narrow enough to slip inside the mouth of the container without touching the sides and short enough so that it doesn’t touch the bottom of the container or the crystals will not form evenly. If you plan to hang the crystals as an ornament or suncatcher, create a hanging hook or loop from the chenille stick. A loop is also helpful when lowering the base structure into the borax solution. The color of the craft stick will show through the clear borax crystals; so use a white or very pale blue fuzzy stick if you would like the crystals to look like a natural snowflake. Try different chenille stick color combinations if you plan to add food coloring to the borax and water solution. It is critical that the water is hot enough to completely dissolve the borax powder. Stir well until all of the powder is dissolved. When the borax powder is completely dissolved in the hot water, use a pencil or craft stick and a bit of wire to suspend the base structure in the borax solution. Be sure that the structure is completely covered with the solution and not touching the sides or bottom of the container. Place the container in a spot where it will remain undisturbed for at least eight hours or overnight. This is the “watch and wait” portion of the project. As the solution cools, some of the borax will settle in the bottom of the container and some will cling to the base structure and crystals will begin to form. If the crystal growth is not as large as you want after eight hours, you can reheat the solution and grow more crystals onto already formed crystals. To reuse the solution, carefully remove the base structure and set it aside on some paper towels. Heat the remaining solution in the microwave until the water is very hot. Stir well until all borax particles are dissolved. Suspend the base structure in the solution again and leave undisturbed for another eight hours or overnight. You can repeat this process of reheating the borax solution to grow more crystals until particles no longer settle out to the bottom. If you are growing the crystals as part of a science project, this is a good time to document the growth and learn more about why and how the crystals form.
Enjoy Your Snowflake Crystals
When the crystals have reached the size you desire, remove the base structure from the solution and allow it to dry completely on a paper towel. Once the crystal snowflake or your chosen shape is dry, add a hanging cord and use the finished product in the window as a suncatcher or to decorate a holiday tree or package. The crystals will last for years if kept completely dry. Wrap each ornament individually in tissue paper to protect them during storage.
