Amethyst and labradorite

What happens if amethyst is heated?

Difficulty:
Danger:
Duration:
20 minutes

Reagents

Safety

  • Put on protective gloves and eyewear.
  • Conduct the experiment on the plastic tray.
  • Take protective gloves off before lighting the splint.
General safety rules
  • Do not allow chemicals to come into contact with the eyes or mouth.
  • Keep young children, animals and those not wearing eye protection away from the experimental area.
  • Store this experimental set out of reach of children under 12 years of age.
  • Clean all equipment after use.
  • Make sure that all containers are fully closed and properly stored after use.
  • Ensure that all empty containers are disposed of properly.
  • Do not use any equipment which has not been supplied with the set or recommended in the instructions for use.
  • Do not replace foodstuffs in original container. Dispose of immediately.
General first aid information
  • In case of eye contact: Wash out eye with plenty of water, holding eye open if necessary. Seek immediate medical advice.
  • If swallowed: Wash out mouth with water, drink some fresh water. Do not induce vomiting. Seek immediate medical advice.
  • In case of inhalation: Remove person to fresh air.
  • In case of skin contact and burns: Wash affected area with plenty of water for at least 10 minutes.
  • In case of doubt, seek medical advice without delay. Take the chemical and its container with you.
  • In case of injury always seek medical advice.
Advice for supervising adults
  • The incorrect use of chemicals can cause injury and damage to health. Only carry out those experiments which are listed in the instructions.
  • This experimental set is for use only by children over 12 years.
  • Because children’s abilities vary so much, even within age groups, supervising adults should exercise discretion as to which experiments are suitable and safe for them. The instructions should enable supervisors to assess any experiment to establish its suitability for a particular child.
  • The supervising adult should discuss the warnings and safety information with the child or children before commencing the experiments. Particular attention should be paid to the safe handling of acids, alkalis and flammable liquids.
  • The area surrounding the experiment should be kept clear of any obstructions and away from the storage of food. It should be well lit and ventilated and close to a water supply. A solid table with a heat resistant top should be provided
  • Substances in non-reclosable packaging should be used up (completely) during the course of one experiment, i.e. after opening the package.

FAQ and troubleshooting

What should I do if the stone doesn’t fit into the foil?

If you can't wrap the stone in foil, don’t worry. Just use a smaller stone.

I accidentally used too much hexamethylenetetramine. Should I start over?

No! It’s okay if you used more hexamethylenetetramine than indicated in the instructions. Feel free to keep going.

I want to repeat the experiment, but I don’t have enough foil from the set left. Can I use the foil I have in my kitchen?

Note that the first step is to cut a sheet of foil in half!

If you look closely, you’ll notice that the foil from the set is much thicker than ordinary foil. You can try using 3-4 layers of ordinary aluminum foil for the same approximate result.

The stone didn’t change colors. What should I do?

This can happen if the stone is too big. Try using a smaller stone.

Be sure to use a new piece of foil too!

Step-by-step instructions

Let’s see what some heat does to an amethyst.

minerals_amethyst-labradorite_en-01

Use some solid fuel as a source of heat.

minerals_amethyst-labradorite_en-02

Heat the stone, then cool it in water.

minerals_amethyst-labradorite_en-03

What happened to your amethyst?

minerals_amethyst-labradorite_en-04

Disposal

Dispose of solid waste along with household garbage.

Scientific description

Amethyst

Amethyst is a species of quartz widely used in jewelry. It ranges in color from stunning deep purple to lilac to pink. The nature of its color is still a mystery: one theory states that amethyst owes its color to the presence of manganese, while other theories suggest that the color is of organic origin because it changes when amethyst is heated.

Labradorite

Labradorite is named after the Labrador Peninsula, Canada, where it was first discovered. Labradorite is an aluminosilicate mineral with a particular luster known as labradorescence. This optical effect gives labradorite a uniquely radiant sheen and makes it an exquisite addition to jewelry. No need to experiment with it—just examine it from different angles to take in the full range of its beauty!