Bismuth

In the Earth's crust, bismuth is about twice as abundant as gold. It is not usually economical to mine it as a primary product. Rather, it is usually produced as a byproduct of the processing of other metal ores, especially lead, tungsten, tin, copper, and also silver or other metallic elements.

These Bismuth specimens are lab grown NOT native specimens.

NOTE: This item is sold by the GRAM! Minimum quantity is 10 Grams

Item Size: Various Sizes


GENERAL INFORMATION

Mineral Class: Elements

Mineral Species: Native Element

Mineral Group: Native Element

Chemical Formula: Bi

Composition: Bismuth is a metallic element that has the symbol Bi and atomic number 83. Native Bismuth is usually associated with its own ores or those of cobalt and silver.

100.00% - Bismuth Bi

Natural Environment: Hydrothermal ores of Co (Cobalt), Ni (Nickle), Ag (Silver), and Sn (Tin). In pegmatites and topaz-bearing Sn-W veins.

IMA Status: Valid Species (Pre-IMA) 1500

Locality: Schneeberg District, Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany

Name Origin: Probably from the Arabic bi ismid, meaning having the properties of antimony.

Bismuth Sources: Germany, USA, Australia, Bolivia, Germany, Devon in England


PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Cleavage: Perfect

Color: Brittle metal with a white, silver-pink hue, often occurring in its native form with an iridescent oxide tarnish showing many refractive colors from yellow to blue.

Crystal System: Trigonal - Hexagonal Scalenohedral

Density: 9.7 - 9.8, Average = 9.75

Diaphaniety: Opaque

Fracture: Uneven - Flat surfaces (not cleavage) fractured in an uneven pattern.

Habit: Granular - Generally occurs as anhedral to subhedral crystals in matrix.

Habit: Lamellar - Thin laminae producing a lamellar structure.

Habit: Platy - Sheet forms (e.g. micas).

Hardness: 2-2.5 - Gypsum-Finger Nail

Luminescence: None

Luster: Metallic

Magnetism: Nonmagnetic

Specific Gravity:

Streak: Silver white

Although bismuth does occur naturally in its native form, it is commonly found in the ores of bismuthinite and bismite which are mined in China, Mexico, and Peru. It is formed in the end product of the decay of uranium and thorium.

No other metal is verified to be more naturally diamagnetic than bismuth. Of any metal, it has the second lowest thermal conductivity (after mercury) and the highest Hall coefficient. It has a high electrical resistance. When deposited in sufficiently thin layers on a substrate, bismuth is a semiconductor, rather than a poor metal.

Bismuth compounds are used in cosmetics, medicines, and medical procedures, and a substitute for lead in various commercial products including solder and fishing weights.


METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Chakras:

Zodiac Sign:

Planet:

Element:

Beneficial for: