Everyday Crystals: Salt, Sugar, and More

Table salt forms neat cubic crystals of sodium chloride, easy to spot under a microscope.
Sugar crystals grow in a monoclinic pattern, giving rock candy its familiar sparkle.
Crystals are solids with atoms arranged in repeating geometric patterns.
Snowflakes are natural crystals of frozen water, each with a unique six-sided design.
Quartz crystals, made of silicon dioxide, are used in watches to keep precise time.
Even metals can crystallize—copper and iron form grains seen in polished cross-sections.
Crystals can be grown at home by slowly cooling saturated salt or sugar solutions.
The colors of gemstone crystals often come from trace elements like chromium or iron.
Crystals are vital in technology, from semiconductors to lasers.
From kitchen spices to jewelry, crystals are the shiny link between daily life and chemistry.