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Eli Finkelstein | all galleries >> Galleries >> Crystal Photography Equipment > Chemicals
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Chemicals

You need to find materials which will create colors when viewed between
polarizing filters. This phenomenon is called birefringence. Many
household chenicals are birefringent. Vitamin C for example is one of
the best. I used all the items listed here, starting from the left:
A sample photo taken of these chemicals are shown by the links
1. Calgon water softener. Smear a little on slide, and allow it to dry.
2. MSG Dissolve in water and allow it to dry on a slide.
3. Salicylic acid. I got this from Ebay. Put a few grains on a slide.
Cover with a coverslip. Heat up the slide with a cigarette lighter,
or candle. Wipe any soot off the bottom of the slide. You will see the
salicylic acid melt, then form frost like crystals when it cools.
4. Beer. Needed for creative inspiration.
5. Vitamin C. Use the cheapest kind, without any coating or flavoring.
Crush a 500 mg tablet, put it into a glass, add a tablespoon of water,
and heat in a microwave to dissolve it. Filter with a clean paper filter
such as a coffee filter. Allow to dry on a microscope slide.
The crystals may take a week to form, after it dries, but be patient.
The results are worth it.
6. Resorcinol. I got this from ebay. Follow instructions for salicylic acid.
7. Rubbing alcohol. This will decrease the solubility of many of the water
soluble compounds, and speed up the rate which it crystalizes.


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