Copper crystals?

[purplemer]

Not know ing much about chemistry i was wondering if it is possible to grow insolouble metal crystals. For example could dissolve copper, evaporate a solution and grow crystals. This is for art project. If not are there any other ways of creating crystals that will not dissolve in water.?

[UncleAl]

Crystal Growth in Gels, Heinz K. Henisch.

 

Amazon.com: Crystal Growth in Gels: Books: Heinz K. Henisch http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0486689158/104-3991474-1007134?v=glance&n=283155

 

Solution of metal salt in one side, suitable reducing agent in the other side. Metal crystals grow at the interface. Ditto for insoluble materials like calcium tartrate and copper oxalate.

 

http://www.chemmybear.com/ucr2005/apch05_crystals.doc

http://antoine.frostburg.edu/college/chemistry/senese/chemed-l/199902/0281.html

 

Some metals will come out as crystals directly by reducton on a more active metal from aqueous solution.

 

Know what you are doing before you do it, even from recipies.

[Mercedes Benzene]

I'm sure that Copper (II) sulfate (aq), and solid iron would produce copper crystals.... However, I would not put money on guessing the quality of the crystals. If you have access to chemicals, any aqueous metal salt would work, just as UncleAl mentioned. Experiment... that is what chemistry is all about.