How to prepare slides for crystals?

henrikfoto · Post by **henrikfoto** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 9:40 am

I would like to prepare slides for looking at crystals.
What crystals are nice to look at?
I see many use ascorbic acid, citric acid.
What more is nice?

And how should I prepare slides?
Drying time?

Henrik

Eddie · Post by **Eddie** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 5:12 pm

Go to the Micsapes site in the Library section for Techniques-Lighting here:
http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/libindex3.html#tech lighting
The section labelled Polarising Crystals will give a lot of techniques and suggestions of different solutions to try.

Of course these are best viewed with polarised microscopes.

zzffnn · Post by **zzffnn** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 8:09 pm

The following article is the best that I have seen regarding preparing chemical crystal slides:

http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/art ... stals.html

The author is probably a chemist. Do follow his advice carefully as some chemicals are toxic and some procedures are dangerous.

echomedia · Post by **echomedia** » Mon Feb 16, 2015 7:29 pm

My best results are obtained from using the crystal growing solution found in novelty toys like this:

http://www.tintoyarcade.com/mystical-co ... ic%20trees

A solution of salt, water, ammonia, and ferric hexacyanoferrate (a laundry bluing agent) produce the same effect.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Grow-yo ... other-sha/

I use polarizing filters below and above the stage to polarize the light and bring out the rainbow colors in the crystals.