Geodes are everywhere right now. They’re super popular as decor, are depicted in art, and are in some of the most popular displays in museums. Everyone I know either wants one, or already has one.
I was in the first category, but I couldn’t justify spending $40 on a rock. It’s a gorgeous rock, nonetheless, but it’s a rock.
So I decided to turn to YouTube and see if there was a way to make my own geode.
Not only is there a way, there are 2. Both are pretty similar, but one involves borax and the other involves alum powder.
Before beginning either of these methods, make sure that borax and/or alum powder are legal in your country.
Here’s how to do it.
With Borax:
Get an object you want to crystallize. Most people grow their borax crystals on pipe cleaners twisted into spirals, but I’ve also seen a video where a girl grows crystals on small rocks.
Mix borax with boiling water until you create an extremely foggy solution and no more borax can be added without it sinking to the bottom. Add about 20 drops of food coloring of your choice. Pour it into a container such as a jar or some Tupperware.
To prevent the object you’re crystallizing from sticking to the bottom of your container, tie it with some thin string and attach it to a pen, skewer, or whatever else you have handy so the object can free float in the solution.
Place your object in the solution, making sure it isn’t touching the sides or the bottom.
Cover and leave 5 hours to overnight and this is what you’ll get!
Cut off your string and add gold or silver leaf paint around the edges for more of a geode effect, and your’e done!
With Alum Powder:
For this DIY, you’ll need to make something for the crystals to grow in instead of on. There are plenty of options for this: plastic Easter eggs, polymer clay bowls, or anything else you’d like to make a geode in.
Take your clay bowl, egg shell, or whatever else you have and cover the inside with glue, then coat that glue with alum powder. Wait for this to dry overnight.
Just like with the borax, boil some water and add some alum powder and food coloring. For every 2 cups of boiling water, you’ll want to add 3/4 cup of alum powder. Pour this mixture into a jar or Tupperware container.
Drop your object with the alum powder into the container with the boiling water and cover. Leave it for 24-48 hours, come back and you’ll have this!
You can coat some areas with gold or silver leaf paint if you’d like, and you’re done!
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I’m so excited that I finally have a geode in my room, and I can’t wait to make more. I hope this tutorial inspired you to make your own crystals!
What colors are you going to make yours?