Aquamarine Single crystal of aquamarine in matrix. (more) How Are Crystals Made? Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/How-Are-Crystals-Made Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Mar 19, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot The crystallization process begins with nucleation, the initial step where a small number of particles (that is, ions, atoms, or molecules) come together to form a stable cluster of solid material. This cluster acts as a seed for further growth. There are two types of nucleation: heterogeneous nucleation—where a surface of some other substance becomes the site or location from which the cluster grows, and homogeneous nucleation—where particles come together uniformly within a medium or matrix, such as glycerol, as they randomly move through the medium and collide with one another. Heterogeneous nucleation is more common, with homogeneous nucleation becoming ...(100 of 259 words)

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