Things We Love

Nothing says decadence like bathing yourself with semiprecious, shimmering soaps designed to emulate nature’s most captivating gemstones. In fact, this DIY project is truly a cut above the rest, thanks to rich colors that indulge your senses and take bath time to a sophisticated new level. You’ll lather in luxury with opulent, stone-inspired shades of amethyst, sapphire, jade, and more.

A charming conversation starter, this dazzling soap also makes a sink-side statement when displayed on a soap dish. You can even give these soapy gems as gifts — friends will surely adore the squeaky-clean elegance they have to offer.

And while you’re sudsing up and following our how-to, why not pour yourself a glass of Ménage à Trois Decadence? This lavish red wine enchants with kisses of exotic dark chocolate, black cherry, and a hint of vanilla spice — an irresistibly indulgent combination that pairs all too well with this artistic project.

Gemstone Soap
Makes 2 soaps

What You’ll Need:
– 1/2 lb. each of vegetable-based clear and opaque white soap bases
– Red, yellow, green, and blue food coloring
– 10 small reusable mixing cups
– 2 soap molds
– Toothpicks
– Microwavable measuring cup
– Paring knife
– Cutting board
– Scissors
– Fragrance oil (optional)

How to Make:
1. Start by cutting each of your soap bases in half. Set aside half of each of the clear and opaque halves for your second gemstone soap.
2. Cut both halves in half again. One quarter piece of the clear and opaque soap will be used to mix colors. The other quarters will be reserved for the final mold.
3. Cut the quarter piece of the clear soap into small chunks and place into a microwavable measuring cup. Microwave in short bursts (10- to 15-second bursts with stirring in between) until completely melted. Be careful: You can burn the soap and render it unusable.
4. If you want to add fragrance, this is when you add your oil. A little goes a long way. Divide the melted soap evenly into 5 small mixing cups.
5. Decide on your color. Example: Red and Blue = Purple. In the small mixing cups, start to add your color. (Darkest shades first. One drop of each color will be as dark as you’ll need to go. Slowly reduce the amount of food coloring after each subsequent mixing cup. Use the toothpick to extract the smallest amount of color from the bottle. Again, a little goes a long way!) Mix each color thoroughly with a toothpick. If the soap starts to set, then pop the mini cups into the microwave for 4-5 seconds and mix again.
6. Repeat with the quarter of opaque soap base.
7. Allow clear and opaque soaps to set for at least an hour. Once they’ve cooled and hardened, turn them over, use your thumbs to push the bottom, and they should pop out easily. Save the mini mixing cups — you can reuse them many times.
8. Slice the hardened color set soap into thin slices and small shards. Mix the colors randomly and drop them into the soap mold. The looser and more random, the better.
9. Melt the remaining quarter piece of clear soap and pour into the soap mold. Then melt the remaining quarter of opaque soap and pour into the soap mold.
10. Heat the entire cup in the microwave for 3 seconds. The colors melt together more naturally, but be careful not to melt the mold. Or you can leave it as it is. Allow to set for a couple of hours — put in the refrigerator for faster cooling. Once the soap has totally cooled and hardened, carefully cut the mold open with a pair of scissors.
11. Repeat with the leftover halves to make your second round of soaps.
12. Enjoy your Gemstone Soaps!