Science, Tech, Math › Science Recipe for Crystal Violet for the Gram Stain Share Flipboard Email Print Kenneth Stoneburg / EyeEm / Getty Images Science Chemistry Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. our editorial process Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Updated February 02, 2019 This is the recipe for the crystal violet stain used in the Gram stain and other staining procedures. Crystal Violet Ingredients 2 g crystal violet 20 ml 95% ethyl alcohol 0.8 g ammonium citrate monohydrate 80 ml deionized water Prepare Crystal Violet Stain Dissolve 2 g crystal violet in 20 ml of 95% ethyl alcohol. Dissolve 0.8 g ammonium oxalate monohydrate in 80 ml deionized water. Mix the crystal violet and ammonium oxalate monohydrate solutions to make the crystal violet stain. Filter the stain if necessary. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Recipe for Crystal Violet for the Gram Stain." ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/crystal-violet-for-the-gram-stain-608139. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 28). Recipe for Crystal Violet for the Gram Stain. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/crystal-violet-for-the-gram-stain-608139 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Recipe for Crystal Violet for the Gram Stain." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/crystal-violet-for-the-gram-stain-608139 (accessed April 10, 2021). copy citation