All About Chalcanthite | Unboxing & Growing ELECTRIC BLUE Gems

On today's episode, we're checking out the BLUEST of minerals w/ both natural and synthetic specimens of vibrant blue Copper Sulfate. Find out how this forms, why it's considered deadly, and even how to make your own!
00:26 - What is Chalcanthite?
01:35 - Natural Copper Sulfate
02:13 - Deadly Gems?
03:28 - How to Grow Chalcanthite
05:32 - Finding Seed Crystals
07:28 - Evaporation Disaster!
08:45 - Making a Mineral Specimen
10:38 - Final Crystal Reveal!
Subscribe to Gemstones.com: bit.ly/subgems
Check out our Gemopedia: www.gemstones....
Gemstones.com is one of the leading experts on gemstones and is the best source on KZbin for all things gem related. Featuring gem history, the science behind the stones, gemstones in pop culture, and much more, you too can become a gemology expert by immersing yourself in the Gemstones.com channel.
Rebecca, our host, is a Graduate Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America and has an FGA from the Gemmological Association of Great Britain. Elizabeth has a degree in Geology and Environmental Studies, as well as an FGA from the Gemmological Association of Great Britain.
Website: www.gemstones.com?mcid=XSOyt
Facebook: www.facebook.c...
Instagram: www.instagram....
#Gemstones #coppersulfate #bluegems #blueminerals #gemology #JTV

[@willow95]

I didn't wake up this morning expecting to want to grow chalcanthite but here I am.

[@kconnor4568]

CuSo4 was the first type of crystal that I made when I was around 10 years old. I am not exactly sure where I got the Cu from, my best guess is that I soaked some pennies in some type of cleaning solution and I eventually got a blue liquid from it. I guess that I poured off the liquid into another glass, set it aside and forgot about it. When I finally looked at it later, all the liquid was evaporated and I had a film of blue crystal on the side and a thicker slab on the bottom. At least that’s what I seem to remember and this video brought all of that back to me. Anyway good video and it was nice to remember one of my earlier experiences with science.

[@VoIcanoman]

I grew CuSO4•5H2O crystals for my seventh-grade science fair project in 1994. I got decent prismatic crystals that were about an inch long, and they were spectacularly blue.

[@WorldofRockhounds]

That was pretty cool. I wonder if it would be possible to encase them in resin so it would be easy to display and handling!

[@ryanvanloock9499]

I have seen where some people coat the bigger crystals with clear nail polish and the result is pretty good.

[@KatanaBart]

There's so much experimentation that can be done! Anyone know what would happen by changing things, like: grow the crystals atop something made of copper? This, and add some extra sulfur into the water? Maintain the water at different temperatures? Use different types of water (tap, distilled, mineral, carbonated etc)? Run an electric current through the water? Use an enclosed container, and alter the pressure inside? Use something other than water? Leave the water in an ultrasound bath? Add other minerals to the water?

[@mjade1673]

Right

[@monarchatto6095]

Sulfur in the water?

[@Kerplakistandan]

Beautiful, I have a nice natural specimen, and have never really liked lab grown but I am now kinda liking the idea.

[@worldpeace3958]

Thank you for sharing. May i know what crystals is genuinely naturally form? Or like what crystals have a chance to be synthetically grown or even fake? I would really appreciate if to learn as i just got interested with crystal. Thank you.

[@SebastianJArt]

You guys MUST check out SEIZURE by Roger Hiorns. An art installation using this crystal. Thank me later 💗🌸

[@gems]

Thank you! Very cool

[@quietartist88]

I’ve had a giant chalcanthite specimen since I was a kid, probably from 20 years ago, but only learned what it was recently! Love that you’re featuring it!!

[@sproutingresilience4787]

Oo I’d never heard of the mineral name. Before only the chemical name, we grew these in my high school science class

[@Angels4justice]

Wow! That is beautiful!❤️

[@kaywhite8377]

Hey I go to UK!! GO CATS!

[@jasonstrange876]

Is it just me or does Elizabeth have a sexy accent?

[@cerberaodollam]

Yes she definitely does. She checks too many boxes for my lil gay heart to handle 🤣

[@shawnagunther7762]

I'm from a small town in Az. I always wanted to own some of that blue stuff

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

Wow, that was a complete resurrection of an experiment, I really had no hope for Elizabeth after the solution was neglected. Fair play that was an amazing creation in the end. These are always fun crystals to make. The water here in Wales is quite pure, so it results in quite a translucent deep blue. Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@timeout8057]

Drink every time she says "actually" 🤣

[@coreymerrill3257]

I'd like to see you make synthetic opal from waterglass.

[@chrispage7146]

@@matthewmcintosh4925 There's no need to be nasty. This channel doesn't have a cover charge. And while you are correct that much of what is called "synthetic opal" is more correctly termed "simulated", there are variances even among gemologists as to the correct terminology. You are incorrect when you say "Besides Australia, Brazil is the only other country that produces opal". Opal is found in many locales. Of particular interest are Ethiopia's variety of Welo opals and Mexico's visually stunning fire opals.

[@sunscar7532]

It woukd be sick to see them grow some bismuth, bot sure if its possible but i hope it is and they can do it

[@sunflower9611]

That can be easily done quicker

[@Maggie.The.Unicorn]

Copper sulfate (or other similar copper compounds) is still used for cow's feet though! They regularly walk through a foot bath with that characteristic blue colour, in order to help prevent infections in their feet. I am not a dairy farmer, just subscribed to some farmers and hoof trimmers. KZbin has recently recommended your videos to me and I have been rather enjoying them. I love science, but I also love pretty and colourful things, what a great combination you have going on here!

[@etherealemily4901]

It’s chalcanthite officer

[@Evancofficial]

This is so fun to watch and relaxing

[@PhantomLife]

All right, I am very glad you're back, again Elizabeth. What if you Place that Liquid Blue 'Jello' into a Mold; to Harden in that shape. (Then possibly peel to remove if necessary)

[@007kingifrit]

oh it's BLLUUUUUUUU i wana try!

[@ecor150]

I grew these in the Chem lab

[@funnymammals]

Nice video

[@jjbentley9]

I've done it it's fun have noticed it we'll lose it color over time unless it stays under glass.

[@justmeonthebeach]

Cool rock from the parking lot transformed into electric blue crystal gems 💎

[@markchristensen1834]

question on Chalcanthite growing, what is the mixture tsp or tablespoon per 8oz of water. thank you very much

[@-.Tristan.-]

YESSS, Ive been waiting for a video on this! Last time you guy’s made crystals I investigated and found Chalcanthite, and Ive been wanting to make them since! 🫐 Edit: Those crystals were gorgeoussss!

[@bonefetcherbrimley7740]

Real pretty.

[@MohammadMansouri-f1c]

Hi, when I make the crystal, I take it out of the water, the crystals are quickly weathered and destroyed. What should I do to fix it?

[@gobaly_nubian]

😍😍😍😍😍

[@davidbintliff2852]

The black speckles are copper oxide, you can leave them to use as a focal point of clusters. Just in case anyone wants to try

[@TorukMakto369]

This is so cool! I am going to try and grow one these :)

[@thekric6935]

I love that we can just grow crystals. It still blows my mind

[@gypsyjengypsydogs9320]

I wonder if they can be covered in liquid glass…..

[@JoeLaitinen]

What happens if it gets exposed to heat and liquid after you schlack it?

[@silbil5991]

Can you grow black obsidian? And citrine 🤭

[@derskalde4973]

So this is the stuff you collect in Horizon Zero Dawn XD

[@annes4213]

I love ❤️ watching these videos

[@gems]

We're so glad!

[@rudyhabib2]

Elizabeth Rocks!!

[@marionbradley6236]

Wow!! Awesome! ❤

[@karengarcia8587]

Whao, that chalcanthite gemstone looks unique and cool.🙎‍♀️😃💎🔷️ I like that electric⚡/neon blue color which is my second favorite color.🥰💙 To see how they look(treated and raw) and know the facts about them is interesting.🤔 It's nice to see another hand made gemstones experiment video.👩‍🔬⚗ Good job on making one.😉👍I like to see you grow amethyst💜 crystals. Nice video and see you later.😊👩‍🏫💎🔷️

[@NataliaJuliaNowak]

This is magic. This is... alchemy! 😮

[@keaisland4seasons776]

Very nice crystal you made! Fantastic! Can you please tell me how high it is on the mohs scale? Thanks

[@gems]

Thanks! Chalcanthite is a 2.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness.

[@MarciaPhillips-mt5td]

Seeing synthetic corundum growing in its furnace! You would need to get invited to a fab lab for that - I wouldn't want you to melt your table or any part of yourselves!

[@mjade1673]

Y'all have scared me with the lack of safety measures in these examples. But im going to ignore that anxiety and contiue enjoying this channel.

[@notch747]

Film grain ahhhh my brain is so fuzzy

[@normiesalvador1854]

When I was in the 7th or 8th grade, we did a crystal growing experiment with blue vitriol. When I saw that blue color, I recognized immediately even after all these years.

[@Merj22]

Most beautiful eyes ibe ever seen. 😁

[@mariantreber8055]

Are they the ones that deteriorate outdoors? We had some brought home from a lab. Unboxing is a pretentious opening of a box. 😐

[@MandyJane123700]

That was so cool!

[@Sheepdog1314]

would humidity affect the crystal?

[@gems]

Yes, unless treated, the crystals will absorb the water in the air and deteriorate over time

[@kevinseo4182]

Where did you get Chalcanthite powder?

[@crosstilidity1643]

Go up to a crack head and ask for blue raspberry

[@adamskenny7124]

I went to Arizona

[@shawnagunther7762]

Wow that is so cool 🤩

[@adamsnewman5480]

That was great

[@miguelgarciasuarez2506]

i ate one of those

[@cerberaodollam]

Not for feet but it's still an antifungal for grapes!

[@shuxuanwang632]

影片是可以作假的 就不好了

[@Freddie9787]

Quartz

[@EasyZs]

Can you ladies do a bismuth episode?

[@gems]

Great idea! Stay tuned...

[@CountlessChris]

Where do I buy the stuff needed

[@gems]

We got ours on amazon. Just try searching for "copper sulfate pentahydrate" powder. You should find the same packet you see in the video.

[@KoreaMojo]

This needs more likes!

[@SequoiaElisabeth]

A+ Every "child" needs to do this.

[@FrancisBalgos]

1st

[@FrancisBalgos]

Ugh

[@witchplease77]

OMGs, I wish I was back in HS again so I could do this as a Science Fair project!