How can I grow crystals for a Fortress of Solitude model?

[Superman]

Hey guys,

Okay, I'm an English and philosophy guy, not a science guy. As evidenced by my username, I'm a huge fan of Superman and collect various Superman action figures.

For a few years now, I've been wanting to build my own Fortress of Solitude model to display my figures in. As of now, I think a good base for the model would be sheets of Styrofoam, which I'd affix to a wooden floor, walls, and ceiling.

However, I want to put some crystalline structures in the model. I know I can easily grow salt crystals, but if I remember my middle school science correctly, those will erode in high humidity (I live in south Louisiana).

So, here's my question: can I grow some long-lasting and lengthy crystal shafts, or would it be easier to try and find some plastic or glass crystals instead?

Keep in mind I'm no chemist or engineer, so nothing too complicated, please.

Thanks, \S/

 

[Gepard]

Go for cast acrylic of some kind. I don't know if it'll be cheaper, but it will be far more durable.

There's some folks here who have done some work with Superman crystals and kryptonite replicas at various points in time. You might be able to pick up some tips there.

 

[PlixTixiplik]

Salt crystals are cubic so they wouldn't be the shape you wanted even if you were able to grow large crystals (it's very difficult to grow single crystals bigger than a few mm) and keep them from breaking down in the humidity. The mineral that looks most like the images I found of the Fortress of Solitude would be gypsum - often marketed as selenite, which comes in a variety of shapes. You can buy selenite crystals pretty readily from rock shop or new-age websites online.

-MEC

 

[Jadzia]

Salt is easy one to grow, and salt is cheap . You might not get huge crystals though as stated above. As far as the huminity problem, yes you will need to grow crystals in reduced humidity, like in a room with good air conditioning.

Afterwards, you can spray coat the crystal with a non-porous coating, like epoxy or polyurethane. This should prevent it from drawing moisture from the air.

Do you need them to be crystals? They're really as heavy as rock.

Can't they just be imitations? If so consider irregular shapes of acrylic or polycarbonate sheet glued together into a box like structure.

If you want to make acrylic look translucent and icy, then spray it with something like a plastic etchant, or even immersing it in acetone (nail varnish solvent) might work. I think acetone gives a slightly iridescent effect on acrylic that does look quite icy... you could try that out to see if you like it


edit:

What sort of size are you thinking of?

Are we talking of something human sized? Football sized? Pocket sized? I was assuming you meant human sized. If you mean pocket sized... you can buy those things. I was bought some crystals when I was little: they were all different colours and shapes. The nicest one in my opinion was a brilliant blue one that was like a cluster of oblong crystals jutting out from the stone. I'll try to think what the mineral it was called.

If you can provide a link to some picture of what sort of thing you wanted we might be better able to help

 

[JustAFriend]

Get yourself a Micro-mark catalog...

32oz. Quick-Cure Casting Resin:

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=81544