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Growing ruby \u200b\u200bcrystals. Growing ruby \u200b\u200bcrystals and other artificial stones at home. Set for growing ruby \u200b\u200bcrystals at home

Growing ruby \u200b\u200bcrystals. Growing ruby \u200b\u200bcrystals and other artificial stones at home. Set for growing ruby \u200b\u200bcrystals at home

01.10.2019

In terms of their physical properties and chemical composition, synthetic precious stones practically do not differ from natural ones. Not all items sold in jewelry stores contain natural stones. And that's quite normal. Consider how to open your own ruby \u200b\u200bcrystal growing business at home.

The main problem is that most natural stones do not have all the necessary characteristics to show off in jewelry. Stones obtained in factory or laboratory conditions have almost the same characteristics. In addition, the synthetic production of jewelry is cheaper than the extraction of natural jewelry in deep and life-threatening mines.

Growing with limited salts

Potassium alum is suitable for this method. It is best to grow copper sulfate crystals at home. They don't grow well from regular salt. But copper sulfate is easy to buy, and very beautiful blue artificial gems grow from it.

1. Preparing the container.We will make a saturated salt solution in it. Pour in a few tablespoons of salt, fill it with water and stir. Add salt until it stops dissolving. Use hot water to ensure correct proportions. There are dissolution curves for different salts. They show how many grams can dissolve in 100 ml of water at a certain temperature.

Solubility curves

2. We filter the solution.This step is very important, especially if you are buying copper sulfate from a garden store. If the solution is dirty, the crystal will grow with defects. We leave the solution for a day so that excess crystals fall out of it. They settle at the bottom of the glass and serve as a seed for us (the main elements on which new ones will grow).

3. We tie the crystal to the fishing line. We wrap the fishing line on a pencil and hang this device on a glass with a saturated solution. Over time, the water evaporates, the saturation of the solution increases. Excess substance that cannot be dissolved is deposited on our product.

4. Once every two weeks, add a saturated solution to the glass.Why do this? Over time, water evaporates and at some point of growth it will not be enough and growth will stop.

Important!The added solution should be at the same temperature as the solution where the crystal grows. If it is the highest, we can ruin everything.

5. After three months we take out the crystal and dry it with a napkin.

6. Cover the product with 1-2 layers of colorless nail polish.This is necessary so that it does not dry out and lose its shine. After drying, the product can be taken by hand.

Here are some wonderful rubies you can grow at home!

Growing ruby \u200b\u200bcrystals at home is available to everyone. The work does not require an equipped laboratory, obtaining theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of mineralogy, or purchasing special chemical reagents. Everything you need can be found in the kitchen.

It is advised to start growing rubies with small volumes. First, experience is gained, the whole process is understood, and then direct systematic work begins. Synthetic creation own hands will not be inferior in beauty and attractiveness to natural minerals. Stones are in demand among jewelers, therefore successful experience can bring additional income if you find a sales market.

There are several ways of growing. They advise you to try all the options, then stop at the one you like.

Artificial precious rocks, created by man, are not natural in chemical content and physical properties. The advantage of home technology is that it allows you to create perfectly clean breeds. In nature, this happens extremely rarely. The jewelry quality of laboratory samples is quite good. Another plus of the mineral is cost. The stones are cheaper than their originals, which originate in deep mines.

Organic salts

It is easy to grow a ruby \u200b\u200bcrystal from various salts:

copper sulfate;
potassium alum;
ordinary salt.

The longest salt-based process, the most beautiful specimens are obtained from vitriol. The production of ruby \u200b\u200bcrystals is based on the following stages:

Preparing the container. It must hold salt and a saturated saline solution. Take hot water. The process is gradual. Dilute two tablespoons with water, mix thoroughly. Then add salt and mix. sprinkle until the salt stops dissolving. To comply with the proportions, they take a hint: a table of the solubility of different salts in 100 ml of water, their relationship with the temperature of the liquid.
Filtration of the solution. The solution must be clean. Dirt impurities will spoil the structure of the stone. Defects will be visible in it. The solution remains for 24 hours. During this period, crystals form at the bottom of the tank. They will form the basis of the ruby.
Artificial mineral growth. A fishing line is tied to the stone formed at the bottom of the glass. It is wrapped around a pencil or wooden stick. The device is installed on the container. The crystal is suspended in solution. Water tends to evaporate, a saturated saline solution releases excess, which is fixed on the resulting sample.
Adding salt solution. Water always needs a certain amount, if it becomes too little, the crystal will stop growing. At normal room temperature, water is added once every 2 weeks.

Artificial stones have long gained popularity in jewelry. Indeed, for a jeweler, the value of a stone is determined not only by its deficit in nature. A number of other characteristics play an important role:

colour;
light refraction;
strength;
carat weight;
the size and shape of the edges, etc.

The most expensive artificial gemstone is Cubic Zirconia (synonyms: daimonsquay, dzhevalite, zirconium cube, shelby). Its price is low - less than $ 10 per 1 carat (that's 0.2 grams). But it's worth noting that as carats increase, the price rises exponentially. For example, a 10-carat diamond costs 100 times more than a 1-carat diamond.

Artificial crystals jewelry stones can be grown at home. Most of these experiments do not require special training, you do not need to equip a chemical laboratory and even purchase special reagents.

For crystal growing experience, start small. We will share a technique for growing beautiful crystals from everything that you can actually find in your own kitchen. You don't need any additional inventory at all, because everything you need is definitely on the shelves. Let's also consider the technology of growing artificial rubies at home!

How to Grow Ruby Crystals Synthetically?

Growing ruby \u200b\u200bcrystals can even be a home business option. After all, beautiful synthetic stones are already in great demand among buyers, so if the project is successfully implemented, they can bring you a good profit. Synthetically grown stones are used by jewelers and also have a wide range of uses in engineering.

Ruby crystals can be grown according to standard methods by choosing the correct salts. But this will not be as effective as in the case of salt or sugar, while the growth process takes much longer. And the quality will be questionable. After all, natural ruby \u200b\u200bon the Mohs scale of hardness is second only to Diamond, occupying the honorable 9th place. Naturally, when it comes to business, in most cases they use a different method, developed over 100 years ago in France.

You will need a special apparatus named after the inventor of this method, i.e. the Verneuil apparatus. It can be used to grow ruby \u200b\u200bcrystals up to 20-30 carats in size in just a few hours.

Although the technology remains about the same. Salt of aluminum dioxide with an admixture of chromium oxide is placed in the storage of an oxygen-hydrogen burner. We melt the mixture, observing how the ruby \u200b\u200bactually grows "before our eyes".

Depending on the composition of the salt you choose, you can adjust the color of the crystals to obtain artificial emeralds, topaz and absolutely transparent stones.

Working with the device will require your attention and some experience, but in the future you will be able to grow crystals that will fascinate with their beauty, transparency and play of color. In the future, such masterpieces are well served by cutting and grinding, respectively, they can be used for their intended purpose.

It is worth noting that cultured crystals are not gemstones, so even if you decide to start a business of growing them, it will not require additional licensing from you.

The design of the apparatus is simple, you can easily make it yourself. But on the Internet there are already enough craftsmen offering drawings of the original installation, as well as its improved versions.

Set for growing ruby \u200b\u200bcrystals at home

The very principle of rubies production technology is quite simple and is schematically shown below in the figure:

Understanding the principle of operation, any device no longer seems so complicated. One of the sample drawings of the Verneuil apparatus:

This technology can also be used to grow other expensive artificial stones, such as "Blue Topaz", etc.

Growing salt crystals at home

The simplest and most affordable experiment you can do is create beautiful salt crystals. To do this, you will need several items:

Common rock salt.
Water. It is important that the water itself contains as little of its own salts as possible, and preferably distilled.
The container in which the experiment will be carried out (any can, glass, saucepan will do).

Pour warm water into the container (its temperature is about 50 ° C). Add kitchen salt to the water and stir. After dissolving, add again. We repeat the procedure until the salt stops dissolving, settling to the bottom of the vessel. This indicates that the saline solution has become saturated, which is what we needed. It is important that during the preparation of the solution, its temperature remains constant, does not cool, so we can create a more saturated solution.

Pour the saturated solution into a clean jar, separating it from the sediment. Select a separate salt crystal, and then place it in a container (you can hang it on a string). The experiment is complete. After a few days, you will be able to see how your crystal has grown in size.

Growing sugar crystals at home

The technology for producing sugar crystals is similar to the previous method. You can dip a cotton cord into the solution, then sugar crystals will build up on it. If the crystal growth process has become slower, then the concentration of sugar in the solution has decreased. Add granulated sugar to it again, then the process will resume.

Note: if you add food coloring to the solution, then the crystals will become multi-colored.

You can grow sugar crystals on sticks. To do this, you need:

already ready sugar syrupprepared similarly to brine;
wooden sticks;
some granulated sugar;
food coloring (if you want colorful candies).

Everything is very simple. Dip a wooden stick in syrup and roll in granulated sugar. The more grains stick, the more beautiful the result will be. Let the chopsticks dry thoroughly and then simply move on to the second phase.

Pour the saturated hot sugar syrup into a glass, place the prepared stick there. If you are preparing multi-colored crystals, then add food coloring to the hot prepared syrup.

Make sure that the stick does not touch the walls and bottom, otherwise the result will be ugly. You can fix the stick with a piece of paper, putting it on top. The paper will also serve as a lid for the container, which will prevent any foreign particles from entering your solution.

In about a week, you'll have some lovely sugar lollipops. They can decorate any tea party, delighting not only children, but also adults!

Growing crystals from copper sulfate at home

Crystals from copper sulfate are obtained in an interesting shape, while having a saturated blue colour... It is worth remembering that copper sulfate is a chemically active compound, therefore, crystals from it should not be tasted, and caution should be exercised when working with the material. For the same reason, only distilled water is suitable in this case. It is important that it is chemically neutral. Be careful and careful when handling copper sulfate.

In this case, the growth of crystals from vitriol occurs in fact according to the same scheme as in the previous cases.

When placing the main crystal for growing in the solution, you need to make sure that it does not come into contact with the walls of the pot. And do not forget to monitor the saturation of the solution.

If you have placed your crystal at the bottom of the vessel, then it is worth watching so that it does not touch other crystals. In this case, they will grow together, and instead of one beautiful large sample, you will get a mass of indistinct shape.

Helpful advice! You can independently adjust the size of the facets of your crystal. If you want some of them to grow more slowly, you can grease them with petroleum jelly or grease. And for the safety of the sky-blue handsome man, you can process the edges with a transparent varnish.

There are 3 weight categories of diamonds:

Small. Weight 0.29 ct
Middle. Weight from 0.3 to 0.99 carats
Large. Diamonds over 1 carat.

Stones weighing from 6 carats are allowed to popular auctions. Stones weighing more than 25 carats are given their own names. For example: "Winston" diamond (62.05 carats) or "De Beers" (234.5 carats), etc.

Puzzled by the search for original business ideas, enterprising citizens are thinking about growing ruby \u200b\u200bcrystals at home as a financially promising occupation. Let's consider several options for the production of artificial gemstones in an artisanal way.

An original business idea implies a lack of competition in the market. The presence of such a factor directly affects the profitability of production, promising a solid profit to the entrepreneur. Manufacturing artificial stoneswhich can be used in jewelry - the idea is not new, but due to the laboriousness of the technological process, it is not popular among novice businessmen. But in vain - after all, with a minimum investment, a sales market and, of course, determination, coupled with patience, you can get a steadily growing income if you invest in production.

To grow ruby \u200b\u200bcrystals at home, you need to use the method of O. Verneuil, a French scientist and naturalist who revolutionized the synthesis of artificial stones more than a century ago by inventing a unique apparatus. Here the future entrepreneur faces a slight difficulty - the equipment is rather complicated. However, modern craftsmen, using the technologies of the XXI century, have significantly simplified the unit. A classic apparatus consists of the following structural elements:

a device for lowering the crystal;
holder of the future jewelry;
muffle;
burner;
a bunker with an opening for oxygen supply;
shaking device;
cathetometer.

Attention! Understanding the device without technical knowledge, at least basic, is quite difficult. It is better to spend a little money and hire an outside specialist to solve this problem.

As for the raw materials, everything is simple. To get a ruby \u200b\u200bcrystal from 20 to 30 carats, which in translation into a metric system that is understandable to everyone will make the weight of an artificial stone from 4 to 6 grams, you will need:

Aluminum oxide powder in the amount of 6 g.
Chromium oxide - 0.2 g.

The growing process will take no more than 3 hours. It is not difficult to calculate the profitability of the enterprise - the device operates on electricity, "consuming" electricity in the amount of 1 KW per hour (that is, 3 KW will be required). The source material is sold in any specialty store for a penny, in the truest sense of the word, prices. At the output we get jewel, which even without a cut will be in high demand. The fact is that not all natural stones, unlike their artificial counterparts, have the purity that jewelers pursue!

Fact! By resorting to the Verneuil method, you can also grow topaz of any shade - blue, white, yellow or transparent.

To make an artificial emerald at home, you should use the hydrothermal method of growing this stone. This method will require buying the appropriate equipment - an autoclave that is able to withstand high temperatures and pressures. Here, as in the case of a unit for growing rubies, it is necessary to turn to specialists - in any case, a high-pressure autoclave must be purchased correctly designed and manufactured in an industrial environment.

The process of emerald crystal growth itself is as follows:

The autoclave heats up gradually.
Crushed beryl dissolves in the hot compartment and is used as a seed. The process takes place in an aquatic environment with the addition of vanadium and chromium, which give the future stone a natural color.
As soon as the temperature reaches 600 0 C, and the pressure is 1.5 Kbar, the crushed beryl dissolved in the hot compartment is transferred to the cold zone of the autoclave, where it settles layer by layer on the seeds, forming an artificial emerald.

Manufacturing technology takes four weeks. The dimensions of the artificial emerald obtained in this way are limited by the volume of the autoclave. Despite the expensive production process, the payback is incredibly high! In addition, using this method, you can grow beryls and sapphires of various shades, as well as aquamarine and ruby.

Fact! The global community of gem traders puts the hydrothermal artificial emerald on a par with its natural counterparts!

Growing crystals of precious stones

The above methods may scare off budding entrepreneurs with investment in equipment and the complexity of the technological process. Well, we offer a “cheap” and elementary, but long-term option for growing crystals at home. For this you will need:

salt - copper sulfate, potassium alum, cooking salt, depending on what we want to get in the end;
chemical solution vessel;
a filter, which, if there is no laboratory one, can be cotton wool or an ordinary blotter;
pencil and fishing line.

Now we start the manufacturing process, adhering to the following step-by-step instructions:

Pour salt (copper sulfate) into a container with heated distilled water until it stops dissolving.
We filter the solution by pouring it into another container and leave it for a day.
In 24 hours, excess crystals will settle at the bottom of the container. They will serve as a seed for future artificial stones. We choose the largest and most interesting in shape, tie it to one end of the fishing line, and its other end to a pencil.
We hang this structure on a container with a solution so that the seed is completely immersed in it. In the process, the water evaporates, increasing the saturation of the solution. In turn, a part of the substance, which does not have time to evaporate, settles on the seed layer by layer, forming a gem crystal.
Once every two weeks, it is necessary to raise the level of the solution, since the growing crystal must be constantly and completely immersed in it.

Attention! The temperature of the added solution should correspond to the indicators that the substance possesses with the crystal immersed in it. Otherwise, the process will end without reaching the goal.

Auguste Verneuil method
Promotional activities

Growing with limited salts

Solubility curves

2. We filter the solution. This step is very important, especially if you are buying copper sulfate from a garden store. If the solution is dirty, the crystal will grow with defects. We leave the solution for a day so that excess crystals fall out of it. They settle at the bottom of the glass and serve as a seed for us (the main elements on which new ones will grow).

4. Once every two weeks, add a saturated solution to the glass.Why do this? Over time, water evaporates and at some point of growth it will not be enough and growth will stop.

Important!The added solution should be the same temperature as the solution where the crystal grows. If it is the highest, we can ruin everything.

5. After three months we take out the crystal and dry it with a napkin.

6. Cover the product with 1-2 layers of colorless nail polish.This is necessary so that it does not dry out and lose its shine. After drying, the product can be taken by hand.

Here are some wonderful rubies you can grow at home!

Auguste Verneuil method

To obtain ruby \u200b\u200bin laboratory conditions, an apparatus is used, invented by the French scientist Auguste Verneuil more than 100 years ago. On the Internet you can find information on the method of growing a ruby \u200b\u200band more simplified equipment of the French scientist, which can be used at home. By the method of Auguste Verneuil, a ruby \u200b\u200bcrystal weighing 20-30 carats can be grown in 2-3 hours. It should be noted that this method also applies to the production of topaz in various shades (yellow, blue, white and transparent).

Drawing of the Verneuil apparatus

To obtain a product weighing 30 carats, you will need 3 kW * hours of electricity and 3 hours of time. In monetary terms, this will be less than $ 1. For the production of one crystal, 0.2 g of chromium oxide and 6 g of aluminum oxide powder are required, the cost of which will not exceed $ 0.50.

You don't need to be an economist to understand that even a raw crystal is sold to a jeweler and the profit will be very solid. Having pleased your wife with home-grown topaz and rubies, you will receive incomparable psychological "dividends".

Download detailed description Verneuil method

Determining the competition in this area

Having entered any store, you will notice that the prices for jewelry with stones are quite high, despite their synthetic origin, therefore, the market is still very far from saturation. Marketing research shows that in Russia you do not run the risk of facing a lot of competition. Even if several thousand entrepreneurial people are engaged in such a business, they will not make much change in this market segment.

We register home production

We are cultivating at home. It is not planned to create laboratory conditions. This is a simple mini business. Sales will be carried out through souvenir shops, social media groups. You can create your own website. Our products will be bought for gifts as precious souvenirs. For this option, it is enough to register as an individual entrepreneur.

If you are planning to expand your business and open your own laboratory with the aim of further selling artificial rubies to jewelry factories and shops, open a limited liability company.

Most important stage - find ways to sell crystals. How to establish a sales market?

2. Create and promote a group or page in social. networks. Invite friends, be active in groups that sell handmade goods. Additionally, you can create your own website.

3. Focus on exclusivity.You can try to negotiate with gift shops for the supply of crystals. Hand out flyers in the city center. Tell your friends about your business.

A detailed method for growing crystals at home!

And this is how synthetic diamonds are grown for industrial purposes.

Home experimentation

It is advised to start growing rubies with small volumes. First, experience is gained, the whole process is understood, and then direct systematic work begins. Synthetic creation of your own hands will not be inferior in beauty and attractiveness to natural minerals. Gemstones are in demand among jewelers, so a successful experience can bring additional income if you find a market.

There are several ways of growing. They advise you to try all the options, then stop at the one you like.

Artificial precious rocks, created by man, do not differ from natural ones in chemical content and physical properties. The advantage of home technology is that it allows you to create perfectly clean breeds. In nature, this happens extremely rarely. The jewelry quality of laboratory samples is quite good. Another plus of the mineral is cost. The stones are cheaper than their originals, which originate in deep mines.

Organic salts

It is easy to grow a ruby \u200b\u200bcrystal from various salts:

copper sulfate;
potassium alum;
ordinary salt.

The longest salt-based process, the most beautiful specimens are obtained from vitriol. The production of ruby \u200b\u200bcrystals is based on the following stages:

Preparing the container. It must hold salt and a saturated saline solution. Take hot water. The process is gradual. Dilute two tablespoons with water, mix thoroughly. Then add salt and mix. sprinkle until the salt stops dissolving. To comply with the proportions, they take a hint: a table of the solubility of different salts in 100 ml of water, their relationship with the temperature of the liquid.
Filtration of the solution. The solution must be clean. Dirt impurities will spoil the structure of the stone. Defects will be visible in it. The solution remains for 24 hours. During this period, crystals form at the bottom of the tank. They will form the basis of the ruby.
Artificial mineral growth. A fishing line is tied to the stone formed at the bottom of the glass. It is wrapped around a pencil or wooden stick. The device is installed on the container. The crystal is suspended in solution. Water tends to evaporate, a saturated saline solution releases excess, which is fixed on the resulting sample.
Adding salt solution. Water always needs a certain amount, if it becomes too little, the crystal will stop growing. At normal room temperature, water is added once every 2 weeks.

To get rubies at home, you have to wait about 3 months. Then the stone is freed from the saline solution, dried with a soft napkin. The sample is covered with colorless nail varnish in several layers.

Advice from experienced crystal makers. The salt solution must be at the same temperature as the water in the container. The crystal grows even at a slightly lower temperature, but high rises in solutions spoil and stop growth.

Apparatus for work at home

To create rubies at home, you need an apparatus named after its creator, Verneuil. The inventor's technique allows to grow a ruby \u200b\u200bweighing 30 carats in 3 hours. The technology made it possible to create the precious material in the right amount. Industrial facilities began to actively implement the development of Verneuil. Time has made its own adjustments, and today such a device is easily assembled at home. Component parts of the device:

cathetometer;
shaking mechanism;
bunker;
burner;
muffle;
growing crystal;
crystal holder;
crystal lowering mechanism.

The device is used for growing not only rubies. Blue topaz, emeralds and stones with a translucent transparent structure are often created in the device.

Home production process:

Powder is poured into the hopper through a funnel. Powder composition - Al2O3, additional component - Cr2O3.
The burner supplies the flame to the bottom of the hopper.
The powder starts to melt.
The layers of molten powder are a growing ruby \u200b\u200bcrystal.

Through the lowering mechanism, the artificial mineral moves downward. Various shades can be obtained in the device. The rate of crystal formation is higher than in the container. It only takes 3 hours to admire the ruby. One sample requires the following component volumes:

6 g Al2O3;
0.2 g Cr2O.

Untreated crystalline formations are extraordinary in shape. They are originally similar to natural ones, but at the same time they are always unique.

At first glance, working with the device is difficult and painstaking. In fact, a device invented by a French inventor over 100 years ago will not pose any particular problems. It is assembled from parts that practical people have on the farm. Making an apparatus and purchasing powder are the main stages of preparation.

Economic calculations

Home technology is always cheaper. You can calculate the cost of all components, costs, and determine the approximate cost of the samples obtained. What is ruby \u200b\u200btaken into account:

the cost of parts of the device;
electricity costs;
the price of purchasing powders for the crystal base.

Even approximate calculations will show the benefits. The cost of all components will not be even 500 rubles. For that kind of money, it is difficult to buy a ruby \u200b\u200bjewelry of a beautiful appearance and excellent quality. The process should not intimidate domestic experimenters with legitimacy. Natural minerals are regulated by the state, synthetic ones are not subject to the documents. If a decision is made to open a small production, it should be registered in the prescribed manner. The soul will be in place, the work will only bring satisfaction.

A gem that you create yourself will become pride. The craftsman will gradually learn to change the shades of rubies. The next step will be to creatively work on the resulting samples, transforming them into interior design items and original decorations.

I have already published three of my ideas on this site (Stained glass from colored glass, Making mosaic panels and tables, Growing mosaic panels in an incubator). A new idea, which I called "Growing Ruby Crystals at Home", was born similar to idea 1404 in the process of psychological counseling using the techniques I have used to develop creative thinking. It was thanks to these techniques that this was born in collaboration with another now business partner of mine. new idea... I will not describe in detail what problems a young man named Alexander addressed to me (now it does not matter), but the result of our joint work was the birth of this idea for a home business.

In the beginning, I came across information that it turns out that almost all the precious stones that are sold as part of jewelry in our typical jewelry stores are of artificial origin! This does not mean at all that we are being deceived.

Synthetic gemstones in their chemical composition and physical properties are almost completely indistinguishable from natural stones. The whole problem. it turns out that among natural gemstones not all have sufficient purity and other jewelry qualities to be honored to be presented in jewelry stores, and in laboratory or factory production conditions, the technological process can be adjusted so that all crystals grown in the laboratory will have almost the same jewelry characteristics.

And in production, they are much cheaper than their "colleagues" of the same quality, mined in deep and dangerous for the life of working mines. In addition, deposits of certain minerals are not scattered in abundance evenly throughout the globe, but are concentrated, as a rule, in few places.

Then the thought flowed by analogy with stained-glass windows and mosaics. If on the Internet I came across offers for these services from large reputable companies with solid production areas and cash flow, then, I asked myself a question - why it is impossible to make small stained-glass windows (inserts in interior doors, wall lamps, etc.) literally on your desk?

I studied the technology, wondered how it could be simplified for home use, conducted a certain number of experiments - and got the result!

Likewise, Alexander and I began to creatively rework the idea of \u200b\u200bgrowing gem crystals at home. Studied (at an introductory level) different ways, and settled on the method of the French scientist Auguste Verneuil, who created more than 100 years ago an original technique and equipment that made it possible to grow ruby \u200b\u200bcrystals weighing 20-30 carats in 2-3 hours. This was an outstanding achievement of science and technology, not only because it made it possible to artificially produce such a valuable material in required quantities, but also because it opened up prospects for the synthesis and growth of crystals of other precious stones.

The success of O. Verneuil was preceded by almost half a century of research on the synthesis of ruby.

The simplicity and reliability of the Verneuil method led to the rapid organization of the industrial production of these crystals, first in France, and later in almost all highly developed countries of the world.

The first figure shows the very principle of operation of the Verneuil method (doesn't it - everything looks quite simple!), And the second figure shows the Verneuil apparatus.

Verneuil apparatus for growing ruby \u200b\u200bcrystals at home

It looks quite difficult, even at first it makes me feel a little afraid - they say, I would never do this! But these are false fears. After all, it should be remembered once again that the inventor created his technology more than 100 years ago!

Naturally, he did not have at his disposal those electrical and mechanical "tricks" that are available to any home craftsman at the present time!

We started working on this problem - how to simplify the Verneuil apparatus through the use of modern electrical components and mechanisms of wide availability and create a "kitchen" version of the apparatus.

And we did it!

According to the Verneuil method, you can grow crystals of not only ruby, but also blue, white (transparent) and yellow topaz (as well as other shades if desired).

I publish a detailed description of the "kitchen" version (with Alexander's consent) as the main generator of the idea and am not at all afraid of competition from those enthusiasts who decide to follow this idea. The reason is very simple: at present, artificial precious crystals are grown in many countries of the world, but as soon as you go to a jewelry store, it becomes immediately obvious that prices are still "biting". And the market is apparently still very, very far from saturation. And if even after reading this information there are several thousand enthusiasts, then with our “home” production we cannot do any special “weather” in this market segment. Therefore, the results of our research can be published without fear. On the contrary, if something like the "Association of Domestic Crystal Growers" appears on the network :-), then it will be even more interesting and useful for everyone, since, as you know, two heads are good, and two thousand, we can confidently assume, are much better. And some of these heads may turn out to be much lighter, and their ideas will help everyone who is interested to further simplify and improve the apparatus, and turn it from a “kitchen” one, for example, into a “nightstand” :-).

Now a few words about the economic efficiency of the project. To grow a ruby \u200b\u200bcrystal weighing 20-30 carats (4-6 grams!) It will take 3 hours and approximately 3 kWh of electricity. Calculate how much it costs in your area. I think. that the figure is less than 10 rubles. The cost of 6 grams of aluminum oxide powder and 0.2 grams of chromium oxide in general cannot cost more than 50 kopecks.

So if you, dear reader, offer even a rough ruby \u200b\u200bcrystal to an interested jeweler, then you don't need to have a Soros head to understand that the profit from the deal will be quite solid. Well, if one of the handmade men with rubies and topaz makes his own wife or girlfriend happy, then the psychological dividends from such "investments" cannot be counted at all! :-).

A few more words about the legal legality of such proceedings. Of course, it is still necessary to thoroughly consult with lawyers, but the law of the Russian Federation "On PRECIOUS METALS AND PRECIOUS STONES" (last amendment of July 18, 2005 N 90-FZ) I have reviewed, says very specifically that the subject of regulation of this law is diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires and alexandrites, as well as natural pearls in raw (natural) and processed form. Unique amber formations are equated with precious stones in accordance with the procedure established by the Government of the Russian Federation. This list of precious stones can only be changed by federal law. " I specially highlighted the word - "natural". And nothing is said about synthetic ones.

So grow ruby \u200b\u200bcrystals at home in peace.

Precious stones have always attracted people. But in our time, and before, most of such creations of nature are considered a rather expensive purchase.

Scientists who were able to synthesize a precious stone that differed little from their natural counterpart found a way out. The idea quickly gained popularity.

Nowadays, artificially grown stones are often used in jewelry.

The thing is that jewelers determine the value of a stone by a number of criteria:

stone color,
light refraction,
strength,
the size,
number of faces.

Enterprising people have found a way to grow these stones at home. Some do business on it, taking advantage of the popularity of synthetic crystals.

Their sale will not be fraudulent, because from the point of view of physics and chemistry, the properties of an artificial stone almost completely coincide with the present.

Anyone can grow crystals, for this it is not necessary to have any specific knowledge. You just need to follow the instructions clearly.

With the right organization of work, you can earn decent money on this.

Most controversial stone

Everyone knows that the most expensive gem is the diamond. It is cut and sold like a diamond. But in fact, there is a more interesting option.

The stone in question is called alexandrite.

It is a type of the mineral chrysoberyl or beryllium and aluminum oxide.

In nature, it is quite rare and usually weighs less than 1 carat.

Artificial stones sell for $ 300 per carat.

This high cost is due to the complexity of production. It is grown by melt stretching.

The operation is quite difficult to perform, it is performed when high temperature and is not available at home.

But despite this, there are a huge number of artificial stones on the market, which are often difficult to distinguish from real ones.

It is most profitable to grow crystals of rubies.

The red stone does not lose popularity and, with proper implementation, will bring the manufacturer a good income.

Rubies are not only used in jewelry, but also in industry.

For production on a decent scale, special equipment is needed, which was named after its inventor the Verneuil apparatus.

It allows you to grow crystals right before your eyes.

In 3 hours the weight of a stone can reach 20 carats.

With minimal energy and reagent costs, this brings enormous profits.

Of course, as in any business, you need to make an effort and monitor the equipment, but in the future you can grow not only rubies, but also emeralds, topaz and even the semblance of diamonds.

The resulting stones are easily processed and used for their intended purpose.

Only a professional can distinguish such stones from real ones. From the point of view of the layman, they will be like two drops of water similar to their natural counterparts.

From the point of view of the law, they will not be precious stones. No additional licenses are required.

However, if implementation is carried out, it is worth taking care of opening a legal entity.

Interesting feature: When people hear about artificially grown stones, they tend to consider them precious.

However, there are so-called "living stones".

This is the name of flowers of an interesting shape, striking in their beauty.

Such a plant is lithops.

Its natural habitat is the deserts of South Africa.

This flower belongs to succulents and has very thick leaves that strongly resemble processed granite. Once a year, in spring, new leaves are born, associated with the death of old ones.

You can't call him tall. As a rule, the maximum plant growth is 10 cm. It blooms from September to November.

Such flowers will be very interesting for sale. The plant is quite unpretentious, so you can grow it at home.

Since reproduction takes place with the help of seeds, the main difficulty is planting.

The seeds should be placed in water for several hours, and then planted close to the surface of the earth. The planting must be covered with foil to make a mini-greenhouse.

Every day you need to spray with water and ventilate for 3 minutes.

It is advisable to keep the temperature below 30 degrees during the day and above 15 at night. It is also worth taking care of good lighting and humidity.

Lithops live best in medium-sized pots.

Despite its small size, the plant has a very extensive root system, sharpened by the desert. It should fit well in the pot.

It is also advisable to plant 2-3 flowers in one container in order to take root better.

Pots should be in warm, well-lit areas. If possible, let them be on the south side of the housing.

Do not change location often - the plant is sensitive to movement.

Better not to touch it at all.

For lithops, rocky soil will be optimal. In it, he takes root best. You can add coarse sand, small pieces of stones and humus.

Don't change the environment drastically. The plant loves a temperate climate and does not tolerate sudden temperature fluctuations.

Also, do not fill the pot. Do not water too often. Care must be taken to prevent water getting between the leaves.

Watering is strictly prohibited during the dormant period, when all processes in the plant freeze.

What is better to choose, everyone decides for himself.

When choosing as a business idea of \u200b\u200bgrowing artificial crystals, the first money will come faster, however, you need to choose the right point of sale and be constantly engaged in production.

If the soul lies with plants, then everything can be simpler.

The main thing is to water from time to time, be careful and look for clients for the flowers grown, then the income will not keep you waiting.