![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7o6R2mobOLI63rfIzUZYbKZG3hEoJAD16yJMIWKjdqkSCsCPQahgxZ2Avy3V03GW5GV8ntMztj0n4RAYFRn1rO2et3q4sd3ckGNHDh55EjsswJ4sOMT6PtesNqio0BWyjsJ5kdmsQRJDZ/s1600/CR11.jpg) |
Vintage photo with alum crystals |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxb31gbOhxLsIUjdqtARRUyFy76t2eISD2IGbA1A9PCesA8l-bdTbsd7frOg7EDeg1EXVVLq-vrxIpvEKOl8iBOQcGaGFUqDRKsZblGepJBzrLkrN3Jv27ZsdyUAhCklFgrAB1IGbQD0ar/s1600/CR3.jpg) |
Photo in supersaturated Borax solution |
I half expected photos to simply dissolve or to have the images become muddied when immersing them in supersaturated solutions but not so. In fact the reverse is true; crystallization seems to seal and preserve the photos, particularly the Borax crystals.
The formula again involves 3 tablespoons of 20 Mule Team Borax per cup of boiling water, stirring to dissolve and create a supersaturated solution. Immerse the photo and wait for crystals to attach. The photo here (taken circa 1973 and printed by a drugstore photo service) was immersed for about a day. It is now rigid and covered in crystals.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2u33m3NgSdGNIOhxDi88SVCgCSNJQ3O8X8A29YFumOSq9W42745NA3PjvMJZeSZTGZyvz4AH2V0ThE68MZ_x8TOv0zXTuke6Lx6qT-b9qFBcBQIAL6Css8athfuTiPmJeyXjBc6w0A0h/s1600/CRA2.jpg) |
Self portrait: photograph encrusted with Borax crystals |
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Close-up |
The next photo, taken of my mother standing in the garden in Stone Mountain, Georgia circa 1949 or so, is also a commercially printed snapshot. This photo was immersed in an alum crystal solution (1/2 cup boiling water and 2.5 tablespoons alum), which forms much larger crystals, for about 24 hours.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9alhdETRhhnwbsBxL-_Lh1ktnHRZi0ylZcvd_9btg_HL-BRvSpwpDrvSPZjhJkeiBLh2Pk5Jj9MVKUSQFxzXemte0feipm2_js_vRoypwNTbNOoxgyDg2ws0R426oGMIMovjbUd9-9gX/s1600/CRA4.jpg) |
Frozen hope: photo encrusted with alum crystals |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQvnJNvyj7yo9eEvx3i3PPVLma47OqwnW2Ki_5kPxm96Cbtwh0qg8ZxWSlv4AVssSTtQS3N7FpgpnWIn1bdgBHRmgzjtlPOhfUbLxXRFyfrIzTRo_ucU-ZlLQtYQeMwdkZlLfludd4AoN/s1600/CRA6.jpg) |
Close-up |
The final experiment involves a photo circa 1910 or so, developed on an uncoated paper much thinner than the photographic paper used today. I left it in a supersaturated alum solution for a few hours. It crystallized nicely but once out of the bath and drying, the crystals began to fall off. As a result the end result shown below is a bit of a cheat. I glued crystals back on, which enabled me to strategically place them where I wanted to. However, in the close-up below you can see that hundreds of miniscule little crystals are adhering to the photo paper on their own.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6rXezatwzhetoOodq-O2WLLZHN5K6mywx5L4MsEiA-Qdmx9neIzgYcWh1isbGNEC-7-Y7UeTWJ2u0zj0fTuk9GOP6-nvSRl67CmPU9fDDsCUThKQ7s7r8uq-DZRRy3B0HQ5QZMTKLpds/s1600/CR12.jpg) |
A Moment in 1910: photo with alum crystals |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNi6N_5QZHuWuPlLaV8ro6koJaKULyLeiXZLBI05cGnv5H8k_WRZp-0C3QpDa_-AyCYZqGmqtcoHiPt8DK8AaKE_p1FXaP4IlPVFWwDvOyEVyVvOQOZXPoHalzXLZ8PFiwKQNrMhKIKN7X/s1600/CR10.jpg) |
Close-up |
How do you frame a crystallized photo? Find an old frame, remove the glass, and glue the photo directly to the frame backing. Here, both frame and backing were wood, which worked out well aesthetically.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglddy-nbhb_xK3YwaFaqRziw0sLFIZEcPmxnrC8Q0rQSu60Eu2joQpHhamdXmCpUzRVhuYe9JXGoPnuUmee78RFu5f85M8-Wx7gX2a8GdZ648M6oIgyAQ0pw6GFeSJiCYx3lhyphenhyphenvYUlJEL6/s1600/CRA8.jpg) |
Framed crystallized photo |
After viewing these experiments, a friend is planning to dip one-page programs for a memorial service for her mother in a Borax crystal solution. The possibilities are endless. The "frozen memories" metaphor is fairly compelling. Have fun experimenting on your own.