Science, Tech, Math › Science How to Grow a Borax Crystal Star Print You can grow borax crystals on a star shape to form borax crystal stars. Westend61 / Getty Images Science Chemistry Projects & Experiments Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Periodic Table Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on November 19, 2018 Grow borax crystals around a star shape to produce a crystal star that also makes a beautiful holiday ornament or decoration. Materials: Borax Crystal Star BoraxWaterPipe cleaner (chenille craft stick)Food coloring (optional) Read More How to Grow a Borax Crystal Snowflake By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Process Shape a pipe cleaner into a star. It's a good idea to leave one end long so you can hang the star in the crystal growing solution. Prepare a saturated borax solution by dissolving as much borax as possible into boiling hot water. You'll know you have a saturated solution when borax powder starts to accumulate on the bottom of the container. Stir in food coloring, if desired. Hang the star in a clean container (such as a coffee mug or glass) and pour the borax crystal growing solution into the container so that the star is covered. Try to avoid touching the star to the sides or bottom of the container. Crystals will grow on the star even if it is touching the container, but it is much harder to remove the star without damaging it. Allow the crystals to grow until you are satisfied with them. This is usually anywhere from 2-10 hours. Remove the star and allow it to dry. The star may be stored wrapped in tissue paper, kept away from humidity. Other Star Crystals If you don't have borax you can use alum, table salt, or epsom salts. As with the borax, be sure the solution is fully saturated before adding the star shape. Table salt will produce pretty small cubic crystals, while alum will grow large crystals, and epsom salts will grow needle-shaped crystals. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "How to Grow a Borax Crystal Star." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/make-a-borax-crystal-star-606219. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2023, April 5). How to Grow a Borax Crystal Star. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/make-a-borax-crystal-star-606219 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "How to Grow a Borax Crystal Star." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/make-a-borax-crystal-star-606219 (accessed April 24, 2024). copy citation