Crystals!

August 18- September 10

What are crystals?

Crystals are a special kind of solid material where the molecules fit together in a repeating pattern. This pattern causes the material to form all sorts of unique shapes.

Amethyst Crystal

How do they form?

Crystals form in one of 3 ways

Reaction, Freezing or Evaporation

The process of crystal forming is called crystallization. Crystals often form in nature when liquids cool and start to harden. Certain molecules in the liquid gather together as they attempt to become stable. They do this in a uniform and repeating pattern that forms the crystal.

Optional Reading: Article: Ancient Magma Crystals Could Help Us Predict Eruptions

In nature, crystals can form when liquid rock, called magma, cools. If it cools slowly, then crystals may form. Many valuable crystals such as diamonds, rubies, and emeralds form this way.

Another way crystals form is when water evaporates from a mixture. Salt crystals often form as salt water evaporates.

What unique properties do crystals have?

Crystals can have very flat surfaces called facets. They can form geometric shapes such as triangles, rectangles, and squares. The shapes are a direct result of the type of molecules and atoms that make up the crystal. Smaller crystals and larger crystals that were formed of the same molecules and in the same method should have similar shapes.

There are seven basic crystal shapes, also called lattices. They are Cubic, Trigonal, Triclinic, Orthorhombic, Hexagonal, Tetragonal, and Monoclinic.

Interesting Types of Crystals

Snowflakes - Snowflakes are ice crystals that are formed high in the clouds when water freezes. They always have six sides or arms, but every one of them is unique.

Article: Why snowflakes come in beautiful, different shapes

BY METEOROLOGIST SCOTT DEAN NATIONWIDE

PUBLISHED 1:00 PM ET JAN. 09, 2022

Timing crystals - When an electric current is sent through some crystals they vibrate at a very precise frequency. Quartz crystals are used in watches and other electronics to keep an accurate time.

Quartz - Quartz is a common mineral and crystal. It is one of the hardest common minerals. The gemstone amethyst is a purple type of quartz.

Diamonds - Diamonds are one of the most valuable minerals on Earth. Not only for jewelry, but diamond is also the hardest substance on earth and is used for special tools such as diamond saws. Diamond is a form of the element carbon.

Fun facts About Crystals

• Crystallography is the science of studying crystals and how they form.

• Some crystals, like diamonds, are really just one giant molecule made from lots of atoms of a single element.

• A lot of computer screens use liquid crystals for their display.

• They are very popular in jewelry because they can sparkle and come in many different colors.

• Some living organisms are able to produce crystals.

Credit: https://www.ducksters.com/science/crystals.php

Grow your own crystals

Lab you will: How to Grow a Perfect Copper Acetate Crystal with Scrap Copper & Vinegar

https://crystalverse.com/copper-acetate-crystals/

How to Preserve Crystals

https://sciencenotes.org/how-to-preserve-crystals/

ASSIGNMENT:

Beyond its importance in science and technology, the word crystal is full of evocations such as purity, transparency, beauty, equilibrium, reason, intelligence, energy, power… the notion of crystal has transcended scientific thinking to also inspire the arts, from literature to painting, from architecture to dance, from music to filmmaking. Did you know that crystals were the first objects to be collected by hominids? Have you noticed the influence the idea of crystal has had in modern architecture? Do you know what the keys to crystalline beauty are?

PART 1: Take 15-20 minutes to explore this presentation - go to the Posters tab to see the menu of crystal topics. Explore.

In your sketchbook, title a page "Crystals" and write something interesting you learned from exploring the presentation.

Art Studio Exit Ticket: Crystals A World to Discover

______ / 1 I titled a journal page "Crystals"

______ / 4 I wrote a 4-5 sentence minimum description detailing something I found interesting and why

______ / 2 I shared something I found interesting with the class

PART 2:

Visit the gallery Galeria de Minerals FMF to view examples of crystal paintings.

PART 3: Know and Understand through Careful Observation and Recording

Make some preliminary drawings (3 different crystals) of multiple views (2 views) of crystal compositions working from life.  Make at least 1 drawing of a crystal detailed in colored pencil - this could be from a crystal you already drew or a different one.

1.Review Shading Techniques at this webpage

2.Practice value scale on this handout - tape into your sketchbook.

3.Practice Shading Techniques on this handout - tape into your sketchbook

4.Make drawings of crystals utilizing the shading techniques to create the illusion of form and texture.

In your sketchbook- Set a minimum of 2 personal growth goals. Ideally one would be a technical challenge – a new technique you are learning – or refining, - refer to the assignment constraints and the elements + principles of art handout. Goals could relate to your artistic growth – stretching an idea or being disciplined with your time. The goals should be authentic and personal to you and encourage personal growth.

Art Studio Exit Ticket: Sketchbook Crystal Drawings

______ / 2 I wrote 2 meaningful goals for myself in my sketchbook.

______ / 2 I created a value scale with 6 distinctive values

______ / 2 I practiced shading techniques

______ / 6 I created sketchbook drawings of at least 2 views of 3 different crystals

______ / 2 I applied a range of value and shading techniques to create a sense of form and texture.

_______/ 2 I made drawings that are a minimum of 3" x 4" inches on average

______ / 4 I made at least 1 drawing of a crystal detailed in colored pencil

PART 4: Transfer your sketch to a final drawing on watercolor paper and paint the image with crystal infused gouache. Make a sampler painting using color scheme including each f the 3 crystal infusions.

Grow crystals with:

Cu / Copper Sulfate instructions

NaCl / Sodium Chloride instructions Both of these compounds are crystalline solid substances consisting of atoms, molecules, and ions that are arranged in a definite pattern.

Mg So4 / Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom salts) Instructions Magnesium sulfate is primarily a crystalline solid, commonly found in its heptahydrate form, known as Epsom salt, which is a white crystalline compound. However, it can also exist as an amorphous solid when it is anhydrous (no water).

Paint for Paper

Pour 1/2 cup Epsom salt into a glass container such as a measuring cup that holds more than 1 cup of liquid. Boil water; then pour 1/2 cup of the hot water into the Epsom salt, stirring to blend the materials completely. Brush the paint onto thick dark paper such as indigo or black construction paper while the liquid is fairly warm, creating straight lines, words or designs. Allow the painted liquid to evaporate without going back over the same lines again; otherwise, the crystals may not form properly.

Wild Watercolors

Create your own crystal-forming watercolor paints using Epsom salt, table salt, food coloring and water. Pour 1 tablespoon each of Epsom salt and water into a shallow container, adding a few pinches of table salt and a drop or two of your favorite liquid food coloring. Swirl the container around to mix the materials, then paint with it on thick watercolor paper. Once the moisture evaporates completely -- which may take an entire day -- it leaves behind colored crystals atop the painted paper, adding an extra dimension to your creative work.

Create a sampler strip labeled with the crystal.

Then create a final painting.

Let the paintings dry. What will happen as the water evaporates?

Art Studio Exit Ticket : Gouache Crystal Infused Painting

Name:

______ /3 I created a sampler strip including each of the 3 crystal infusions with my proposed color scheme.

_______/2 I created a final painting including evidence of at least one type of crystal.

______ / 2 I labeled the back of the painting with crystal / mineral name

______ / 3 I can explain how the crystals were formed in my painting and identify the type of crystal it is.

_______ points earned

PART 5: Photograph the crystals under a microscope. We are looking for interesting pattern, color, texture and composition.

Select your three best images and submit to the dropbox on Schoology called Crystal Photographs. Consider color, crystal evidence and composition.

Art Studio Completion grade

_____ / 5 points completion grade for each image totaling 15 points