Bismuth Crystals
Bismuth is a natural mineral but Mother Nature doesn't make Bismuth Crystals! Bismuth is rarely found in nature in its elemental form. Of growing interest in rock shops, however, are laboratory-grown bismuth crystals. These crystals, while not natural, are nonetheless very interesting and sought after by the mineral hobbyist, collectors and rock hounds. The unique look that these crystals offer is really something very special! Bismuth Pellets can also be a valuable addition to your collection of metals.
Bismuth was discovered in 1753 by Claude Francois Geoffroy. It is a very unusual and rare heavy metal that is solid at room temperature. It is more rare than platinum, ranking number 69 out of the 75 listed rare elements found on Earth’s crust. One very interesting thing about bismuth is that its liquid form is denser than its solid form. So as bismuth crystallizes, its solid form floats above the liquid. This effect is only found in 3 other cases (water, gallium, and germanium).
Bismuth is a white, crystalline, brittle metal with a pinkish tinge. It occurs in a native state. Bismuth is the most diamagnetic (repels magnets) of all metals. Its thermal conductivity is lower than any metal, except mercury. Bismuth has a high electrical resistance normally and has the highest Hall Effect (increase in electrical resistance when placed in a magnetic field) of any metal. High-purity bismuth can form into distinctive and beautiful hopper crystals.
Bismuth crystals are man-made or laboratory “grown”. They are normally made from commercial 99.99% pure bismuth pellets. Bismuth melts at 271.3 degrees Centigrade / 520.34 degrees Fahrenheit / 544.45 degrees Kelvin. Bismuth crystal growth time is between 4 to 10 minutes as they form in a cooling bismuth melt. In its solid form, bismuth is incredibly fragile. However, the crystals form to show perfect cleavage, making it tempting to handle and touch. The reason the crystal structure is so fragile is because the rapid growth causes hollow stepped forms, called “hopper crystals”.
The iridescent coloring ranging through reds, blues, purples, gold and greens is due to a thin layer of bismuth oxide that forms on the surface of the crystal as it cools. This is actually interference coloring, similar to the coloring you see on soap bubbles and on oil slicks, and is based on how thick the oxide grows. The brightness and color intensity can vary from sample to sample, depending on the quality and purity of the bismuth used. Some labs report that adding voltage from a small battery helps control the coloring during its formation.
Bismuth to make crystals is usually found in the preferred form of 99.99% or better pure Bismuth discs or pellets
Item# 46BC08179611
93.5g Bismuth Crystal Made in America
All Photos taken in natural sunlight
This stunning lab grown Bismuth Crystal is "Made in the USA" This Crystal weighs (93.5 grams) and measures approximately 2.3 x 1.75 x 1.7" (59 x 44 x 43 mm) Beautifully hoppered with a nice array of iridescent coloring that changes color as viewing angle changes.
Item# 1BGEODE05180682
442g Bismuth Geode Made in America
All Photos taken in natural sunlight
This unique Bismuth Geode Specimen was Hand-made in the U.S.A. Bismuth is an unusual crystal because it is a little known metal that is even scarcer than silver within the earth's crust. Each crystal is “lab grown” and forms under the surface in a pool of liquefied 99.9% pure bismuth. The crystals form as the bismuth cools and a rainbow of colors are displayed as the crystal grows and the liquid is poured off. The result is the incredibly rare and breathtakingly gorgeous metal art sculpture that this process produces. Bismuth is one of only a few substances (water being another) that actually expands upon freezing (solidifying). The liquid bismuth expands as it cools. The spiral, stair-stepped structure of bismuth crystals is the result of a higher growth rate on the outside edges and a slower growth rate on the inside edges. The variations in the thickness of the oxide layer that forms on the surface of the crystal causes different colors to be reflected, displaying a breath-taking rainbow of colors.
This geode weighs 15.5 oz or 0.97 lb. (442g) and measures 3.4” (87mm) in diameter and is 1” (25mm) deep
Item# 2BGEODE05183982
444g Bismuth Geode Made in America
All Photos taken in natural sunlight
This unique Bismuth Geode Specimen was Hand-made in the U.S.A. Bismuth is an unusual crystal because it is a little known metal that is even scarcer than silver within the earth's crust. Each crystal is “lab grown” and forms under the surface in a pool of liquefied 99.9% pure bismuth. The crystals form as the bismuth cools and a rainbow of colors are displayed as the crystal grows and the liquid is poured off. The result is the incredibly rare and breathtakingly gorgeous metal art sculpture that this process produces. Bismuth is one of only a few substances (water being another) that actually expands upon freezing (solidifying). The liquid bismuth expands as it cools. The spiral, stair-stepped structure of bismuth crystals is the result of a higher growth rate on the outside edges and a slower growth rate on the inside edges. The variations in the thickness of the oxide layer that forms on the surface of the crystal causes different colors to be reflected, displaying a breath-taking rainbow of colors.
This geode weighs 15.6 oz or 0.97 lb. (444g) and measures 3.4” (87mm) in diameter and is 1” (25mm) deep
Item# 57BC07173621
101g Bismuth Crystal Made in America
All Photos taken in natural sunlight
This stunning lab grown Bismuth Crystal is "Made in the USA" This Crystal weighs (101 grams) and measures approximately 2.8 x 1.9 x 1" (72 x 49 x 27 mm) Beautifully hoppered with a nice array of iridescent coloring that changes color as viewing angle changes.
Item# 61BC07171070
56g Bismuth Crystal Made in America
All Photos taken in natural sunlight
This stunning lab grown Bismuth Crystal is "Made in the USA" This Crystal weighs (56 grams) and measures approximately 3 x 1.5 x 1.3" (76 x 38 x 35 mm) Beautifully hoppered with a nice array of iridescent coloring that changes color as viewing angle changes.