Citrine and Aquamaring Crystal Growing Kit From The Smithsonian Institute

by Natural Science Ind. GPO

Product Details

• Item Weight: 3.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B00000ITBT
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #310,882 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

Product Description

Editorial Review

Grow your own collection of crystals in three dazzling colors! In just a couple of days, the Smithsonian Crystal Growing Kit lets you create brilliant crystals that are almost identical to those found in nature. This safe, easy-to-do science kit includes crystal-forming chemicals and growing cups, granite base rocks (or you can use your own), spatulas, instruction booklet--even safety goggles and a magnifying glass. With the addition of just a few household supplies (a nonaluminum pan, paper towels, a flashlight) you'll be well on your way to starting your own glittering exhibit. --Julie Ubben

Product Description

-14 will produce one citrine & one aquamarine colored crystal. -15 will produce one frosty diamond crystal and two purple geode-shaped amethysts (dark & light).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected, October 30, 2007

By 

Lake Champlain "Whales" (New England) - See all my reviews

= Durability:2.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:2.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Citrine and Aquamaring Crystal Growing Kit From The Smithsonian Institute (Toy)

After having this for a few years I can say that my son enjoyed watching plain salt crystals grow on wool yarn a lot more than he did watching the crystals form from this kit. The kit solution takes a while to dry/form so there are weeks of no change. When crystals do form they are flat, unlike the picture on the box.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars This contains unsafe instructions (AMENDED), December 10, 2011

By 

Pen Samurai "Lainey" (Watertown, MA USA) - See all my reviews

= Durability:1.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:3.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Citrine and Aquamaring Crystal Growing Kit From The Smithsonian Institute (Toy)

I received the Smithsonian Crystal Growing Kit (#3260-08) as a gift for my son and we used it today. We followed the directions exactly, and when we were on step 6 of Experiment #1 "Golden Citrine" crystals on page 5, the boiling water melted the size "C" plastic growing cup into a small shriveled mound of melted plastic, spilling the boiling hot chemical solution EVERYWHERE. Some plastics can handle hot liquids, but the cheap plastic in this kit obviously cannot. If they knew that the plastic was prone to melting, why would they ever recommend that parents pour boiling water into this kind of container with their young children nearby?

If you do end up getting this, I strongly recommend that you pour the boiling water in a different container (not provided by the company), let it cool to lukewarm temperature while dissolving the chemicals, and then pour it directly into the size "D" plastic cup afterwards.

I have written to the Smithsonian quality control department and am awaiting a response. I will update if and when I hear from them. I am really surprised that this kit has not been recalled.

UPDATE: I got a prompt response from quality control and they say that they have since updated the plastic packaging. I must have received an old version. They were very apologetic concerning this flaw. I am satisfied that they are taking safety precautions seriously.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Huge disappointment, January 4, 2009

By 

SD Mom "sd mom" (San Diego) - See all my reviews

= Durability:1.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:1.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:1.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Citrine and Aquamaring Crystal Growing Kit From The Smithsonian Institute (Toy)

The box and directions for this kit show beautiful crystals that look almost like flowers growing. Supposedly the crystals grow within "hours". My daughter and I did the 3 experiments and followed the directions very carefully. It's been several days and nothing has happened. I have written to the company, I hope to hear a reply.
Don't waste your money. The pictures are misleading, directions are unclear, and description is exaggerated.