This research investigates the kinetics of asphaltene precipitation from crude oils using n-alkane precipitants. Conventionally, it has been understood that the precipitation of asphaltenes is governed by the amount of precipitant added to the crude oil. Recent literature shows that there is a kinetic phenomenon associated with asphaltene precipitation. In this research we have demonstrated that depending upon the amount of n-alkane precipitant added, the time required to precipitate the asphaltenes may vary from a few minutes to several months. Therefore, the onset of asphaltene precipitation is a function of the concentration of precipitant and time. A technique to quantify the amount of asphaltenes precipitated as a function of time and precipitant concentration is also discussed. The kinetic effects caused by various precipitants have been also investigated in this work. Refractive index measurements were that were made, provided further insight into the kinetics of asphaltene precipitation. In order to compare the nature of asphaltenes precipitated early in the precipitation process to the asphaltenes precipitated at later times, polarity based fractionation and dielectric constant measurements were used. Results from these experiments show that the asphaltenes precipitating at different times from the same crude oil-precipitant mixture are different from each other.