Regarding Home Lab made to study crystallography

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the feasibility of creating crystals at home, specifically beyond basic crystal kits. Participants explore methods for growing crystals, the introduction of vacancies in crystal growth, and the verification of crystal identity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the possibility of creating crystals at home and seeks information on necessary materials and methods.
  • Another participant asks for clarification on the type of crystals intended for growth, suggesting quartz as a potential candidate.
  • Some participants mention lead acetate as a simple method for creating lead crystals, noting minimal effort and knowledge required.
  • There is a suggestion to utilize YouTube as a resource for DIY crystal growing techniques, with mentions of various materials like lead, borax, and quartz.
  • A later reply raises a concern about verifying the identity of the crystals produced, questioning how one would distinguish a quartz crystal from a lump of glass.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of interest and knowledge about crystal growth methods, but there is no consensus on the best approach or verification methods for the crystals produced.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully addressed the specific heat, time, or pressure requirements for creating quartz crystals, leaving these aspects unresolved.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in home experimentation with crystallography, DIY science enthusiasts, and those exploring materials science concepts.

John Lutz
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1) Is it possible to create crystals at home beyond child crystal kits one can buy? I'm very serious
about putting work into studying and growing crystals. If so, what do I need?

2) Also how would it be possible to introduce vacancies in crystal growth ? I have heard of
things like ionic bombardment. I'm looking to build a lattice with regular periodicity and direction.
 
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russ_watters said:
What kind of crystals do you want to grow?

Right off the top of my head: Quartz. Or anything stronger and more resilient than the molecular variety.
 
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It's fairly elementary aside from inhalation dangers (not much but still exists), but you could use lead acetate to create lead crystals, it requires very little effort and knowledge though
 
Stephenk53 said:
It's fairly elementary aside from inhalation dangers (not much but still exists), but you could use lead acetate to create lead crystals, it requires very little effort and knowledge though
Interesting! I wouldn't need certain heat, time or pressure requirements to create quartz crystals?
 
YouTube is a rich source of DIY information. I tried some simple arches on YouTube for "growing crystals". I found numerous hits including Lead, borax, and quartz.
 
So once you have created this, how are you going to know that you have created what you think you should?

In proper professional endeavor, we try to verify everything that we make, so there is often a series of diagnostic techniques and equipment to test properties of such material. How do you proposed to know that you have actually made a "quartz crystal" and not just a lump of glass?

Zz.
 
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