ARE Rock Candy Social and Crystal Growing Championship

What began as a classroom demonstration at the 2019 Bend chapter meeting has evolved into one of ARE's most beloved annual events: a rigorous (if delicious) competition in applied crystallography. Participants receive identical seed crystals, identical starter solution recipes, and 28 days to grow the finest sucrose specimen they can. Judging criteria: crystal size (objective), clarity (optical), crystal habit (form completeness), and "geological plausibility" (a subjective category that has produced some memorable arguments at the judging table). The championship specimen is displayed in the ARE library until the next year's event, alongside a formal specimen card using the ARE ID format. Youth division entries judged separately. All specimens may be consumed after judging. The event raises funds for the ARE scholarship program.