How to grow Alum crystals! - Huge alum crystals diy in supersaturated solution.

We have been growing alum crystals for the past 8 weeks in a supersaturated solution! Join Destructive Creativity and Jonathan Allers for this fun science experiment at home! Be sure to subscribe to stay up to date!
Aluminum Potassium Sulphate can be found in your local supermarket in the spices section. Used in the pickling process, when dissolved into a supersaturated solution, a beautiful clear crystal can be formed!
Destructive Creativity is dedicated to providing safe a fun science experiments for all ages over 13 years old.

[@amandak272]

You both are very entertaining to watch. Great informational video 😊

[@DestructiveCreativity]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@JujusTips]

Interesting concept! And it's nice to see the chemistry between you. (pun intended)

[@karanfield4229]

Well that was crystal clear! 🥰

[@virpalsingh8017]

​@@karanfield4229 white alum and red alum

[@ItsADate]

Super interesting! Great video you guys! 🙌🏽

[@peyten8811]

So technically if you made jewelry or something out of this and cut it, you can melt back down the cutoffs into another jewelry piece through the solution? As long is it’s a bit warmer then room temp

[@paularatcliff7690]

I'm having difficulties with the alum solution. Each time I make a new batch, the crystals grow and harden on the bottom of the container and very few are on the seed crystal. I did filter te solution after making it. Im trying to do this with my grandson but it's getting very frustrating.

[@bumblebee0369]

Hey. Pretty cool channel. I just subbed. You guys just started your channel. I would of swore you been at this for a long time you guys sound/look great! I'm excited to see your future videos.

[@DestructiveCreativity]

Thanks! We are having a blast and hearing this makes our day :)

[@marcashawable]

What’s the best alum powder an iron free alum sulphate or potassium alum

[@JBBounzer]

Cool video!

[@DestructiveCreativity]

Thanks!

[@RealBradMiller]

Subscribed!

[@DestructiveCreativity]

Thanks!

[@littlefeather9709]

Bonjour science adventurers. Great video. I know its been a year but do you think these crystals would survive in a little bit of resin for geode making with resin and paint additives? Resin hates water also. I have alum seeds that are quite large. They would look nice in my project. Thanks guys. You are great.

[@DestructiveCreativity]

That is something that would be awesome to try! I imagine that they would survive just fine. If you get around to trying it before I do let me know how to goes!

[@jillclay936]

spray with 3 thin layers of acrylic varnish first x

[@gratefuldoge8598]

I’m not so sure I get the geek humor but appreciate the nerd knowledge 😅

[@ig5651]

How to make it in a certain shape, quickest and easiest way? Can you make it grow in a certain shape? Can it be made in a silicone mold?

[@DestructiveCreativity]

Sadly, Alum Crystals are very very difficult to control. They grow in the shape of their smallest crystal structure. So their shape is pre-determined.

[@ig5651]

@@DestructiveCreativity in the case where you speed up the growth by putting it in the hot water (like at the end, although you didn't show results) - you said the dish fills up with alum crystal in a few hours? I'm asking because of making a crystal deodorant btw

[@DestructiveCreativity]

@@ig5651 I see, Yes, you could make it in a silicone mold. The individual crystals will remain the same shape but you could easily create a raft or matt of crystals in whatever shape the mold is. :) The longer you leave the solution in the mold, the thicker the crystals will be.

[@Kawaii-Boba]

I love thsi channel

[@DestructiveCreativity]

Thanks! We like you too :)

[@honeyvitagliano3227]

Thank you 🫶

[@SoCalgardener]

Would it still work if let’s say I used scented epsom salts for the seed but normal epsom salts in the solution? Anyone can answer if u know

[@DestructiveCreativity]

Actually, I believe Epsom salts would make a great crystal solution. Thanks for commenting, I think I may make a video on this exact topic this summer.

[@kalliemoore5153]

How hard are these? If I wanted to cut it in a certain shape I don't want it to split apart.

[@DestructiveCreativity]

Alum crystals are 2-2.5 on the mohs scale. (Very, very soft for a crystal.) But it will be prone to shattering due to the crystal structure. If you go slowly, you should be able to cut it, but it will lose some of its clarity. Let me know how it goes!

[@kalliemoore5153]

@@DestructiveCreativity Can you recommend another Crystal I should be making them? I'm trying to make some at home for jewelry making.

[@DestructiveCreativity]

@@kalliemoore5153 Unless you have some lapidary equipment, cutting home grown crystals is going to be very difficult. Depending on what you were going for, I would recommend growing the crystals in specific shapes. Probably with borax? I made a video on borax crystal here if it might help. kzbin.info/www/bejne/apfUm6V8r7djfqc

[@jennadufford6023]

I am working on this with my Earth Science class. Some of my students experiments are producing crystals, but they are cemented to the bottom of the beaker, and they are not able to scrape off a seed crystal. Any recommendations?

[@DestructiveCreativity]

One option I had success with is to insert a pipe cleaner and try and grow a few seed crystals on that. The crystals easily break off but sometimes it's hard to start them. Good luck!

[@audiotron1003]

This frequently happens I usually break up the bed of crystals, select some suitable seeds, keep spares so that I can test the saturation of the new batches without sacrificing the growth of my main crystals. I've done this or decades. I have a video on this subject showing a rystal that took 6 months to grow and weighs 362g

[@THEAPRILFOOL-1983]

Has anybody ever added glow in the dark powder to the solution to make a glow in the dark Crystals

[@drumstruck751]

do i get to cook now mr white

[@Sedgewise47]

By any chance-can you demonstrate an efficient (if not easy?) way to make an alum pyramid?

[@DestructiveCreativity]

That is a good idea, I haven't made one myself, but you would need three things. The premade supersaturated solution, a very smooth piece of glass or plastic and a seed crystal. You could grow a pyramid by placing the seed crystal on the piece of glass and then submerging that. The alum would adhere to the glass and grow upwards on a pyramid.

[@Sedgewise47]

DestructiveCreativity That...”easy”?...

[@Sedgewise47]

Some other video said something about putting a “hole” in a piece of glass. But the way it was said sounded...confusing...

[@DestructiveCreativity]

@@Sedgewise47 I have a few jars left over from my last experiment. I'll play around and let you know how it goes.

[@Sedgewise47]

DestructiveCreativity Thanks, would appreciate it. (Been trying to make a big one for weeks now. Keep screwing it up and having to start all over...)

[@KeiraMakanalala]

Can you use food dye?

[@DestructiveCreativity]

Yes, but the effect is rather muted. The crystallization process somewhat takes impurities out like food dye.

[@KeiraMakanalala]

Ok thanks I’m doing this project for a science fair ;)

[@melissadeacon6113]

thats so cool i also go to your brothers thing

[@vaibhavi.r]

hey there I've got some quick questions to ask.. how big can an alum crystal grow in an approx 2-3days?? And will it grow much faster and much bigger if I put in inside a fridge? (refrigerator)? Please someone lemme know as I have my chemistry project coming up in less than a week and i've gotta grow these up 😭😭😭

[@DestructiveCreativity]

Sadly, alum won't grow very much in a few days. If you are just looking for crystal growth, I would recommend borax crystals. :)

[@DestructiveCreativity]

They are very fast

[@rohinimurkute2827]

Very nice I love it

[@DestructiveCreativity]

Thank you so much 😊

[@rohinimurkute2827]

Welcome make this types of video we love it

[@rohinimurkute2827]

Comment from india

[@DonnyHooterHoot]

Aluminum. Say it.

[@DestructiveCreativity]

Aluminum. (Did I say it wrong?)

[@Eclipsed102]

US: Aluminum UK: ALuNimeum/aluminum (the same thing

[@MichelleElks]

I love this! I grow A LOT of alum crystals. It’s my hobby.

[@bystandersarah]

What do you do with them?

[@JonathanMillerMusic]

Hahaha very cool! I love this and your guy’s’ personalities. 😂💗

[@DestructiveCreativity]

Thanks! We have a lot of fun doing it.

[@JonathanMillerMusic]

DestructiveCreativity it looks like it!!

[@jfresh2054]

A rock is not a crystal. And a rock is not a mineral. And a crystal is not a mineral

[@glennkrieger]

You guys did a great job! Keep it up, I know it will take time, but you'll get your subs and be recommended.

[@DestructiveCreativity]

Thanks! We are growing slow and stead right now, and that's enough. :)

[@DrummerGrrrl]

Dude!!!!! It's pronounced "AL-um"! Oh, wait...you're from Canada. That explains a lot.

[@DestructiveCreativity]

I am resisting the urge to apologize at this very moment. ;)

[@brucecarlton1508]

After the application of the fingernail polish how long will the crystal last?

[@DestructiveCreativity]

It depends on how much it is handled, but the crystal should last indefinitely.

[@vanessabrown9167]

How many times per week (over the 8 weeks) would you say that you checked on the beaker and made adjustments? I am hoping to do it with my class just once a week but want to make sure that works or if I should do it twice. Thanks

[@cyberchild7552]

Can the solution be colored?

[@DestructiveCreativity]

Absolutely! Just make sure you add the food coloring after you mix the maximum amount of alum into the water. :)

[@goanna2012]

Canó put a mosquito inside it?

[@goanna2012]

Thank you 🙏 from OZ

[@MorgueInTheVoid]

What would happen if you glued all the little seed crystals together to make one big seed crystals and then put that back into the solution? 🤔 would the glue affect the process?

[@bicnarok]

@ 05:17

[@paularatcliff7690]

Each time I put a seed in the room temperature alum and water mixture, the seed melts away. I want to do this with my grandchildren so I need help!

[@DestructiveCreativity]

That problem is caused by not "super-saturating" the solution. So warm the solution up again and keep dissolving alum into the mixture until you can't mix any more in. Then let it cool slowly and at that point the seed crystal won't dissolve.

[@paularatcliff7690]

Thank you so much. I will try that today.

[@christinley5213]

Hhaha he did the crazy Russian hacker!! Lol

[@DestructiveCreativity]

You are the first to notice! He is awesome!

[@Alwaysziv]

ok ~ My new fav!

[@DestructiveCreativity]

:) Thanks! Hopefully we will be here for a long time.

[@SoCalgardener]

Loving that catalyzed reaction at the end dope content

[@michaelpaul721]

Good stuff. Subbed and liked!!

[@goanna2012]

Great show ❤ keep going 😊

[@manyaharneja5942]

Sooooo cooolllll

[@Skunkhunt_42]

Ima sell my 💎

[@rampdjsr]

How to convert irregular shape of alum piece into regular shape like cube.

[@DestructiveCreativity]

Well if you are wondering if you could grow alum into a cube. Sadly you cannot. It's shape is dictated by it's microscopic structure. You could however grow a diamond shape, and then file the edges down to the size of a cube.

[@aaronxalapa]

is this the same alum stone used for deodorants? please answer

[@DestructiveCreativity]

From what I understand alum stone in deodorant stick contains the same alum that I am using, but it probably won't work to grow crystals using a deodorant stone. (Due to likely additives in the deoderant)

[@aaronxalapa]

@@DestructiveCreativity cool, thank you so much... another question... Can I mix this alum with some vaseline (or cocoa butter) to create a deodorant?

[@nganhoang764]

cooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool!

[@nganhoang764]

cool. i made it.

[@krustydustietv2776]

What happens if you use multiple seeds ?

[@audiotron1003]

If you tie multiple seeds and suspend them on your support pencil etc, they will all grow at the same time. The longer they grow the more diamond shaped they get

[@thebrokenuniverse1487]

I love growing crystals