Rubidium hydrogen tartrate single crystals were grown in silica hydrogel. Controlled reaction was employed between tartaric acid and rubidium chloride solutions by slow diffusion process in the gel medium. Colourless transparent crystals were grown at room temperature. The average density of crystals measured pyknometrically was 2·263 g cm−3. Thermal stability of the materials was studied. Chemical etching was employed to determine the perfection of these crystals.
