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greenzaku — Bismuth crystals are manmade
Published: 2009-09-22 15:20:58 +0000 UTC; Views: 3975; Favourites: 18; Downloads: 1378
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Description
Clusters of neatly-stacked, iridescent/grey bismuth crystals in stores are laboratory grown. They're still really surreal to look at and some people grow them as a form of art. The rainbow of colours is from a layer of oxidation on the surface of the crystals. More information on manmade bismuth can be found here:[link]
Although bismuth can also be found naturally, it tends to resemble dull grey nuggets or metallic grey crystal masses instead. More information on natural bismuth can be found at:
www.mindat.org/min-684.html
Despite the fact that bismuth is very similar in atomic structure to arsenic, it is not considered toxic.
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Comments: 15
If you like bismuth crystals, take a peek at my gallery. They're how I make my living.
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You are definitely correct when it comes to bismuth crystals being man-made. Actually, just mostly correct. There are specimens in the Smithsonian that were crystallized during undersea volcanic events. I saw an exhibit in the Balkans that displayed several very large, crystallized specimens of bismuth.
I personally own a 6-pound bismuth crystal that I bought in the Balkans (formed naturally). It is so damn ugly I'm thinking of melting it down.
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Awww...don't melt it...it's still a huge geologic specimen! My friend once gave me a massive hunk of schist that he carried in from the USA, because he'd never seen schist before and thought...7kg...would satisfy my curiousity. I don't have the heart to do anything to it.
I'm aware that bismuth is available in nature, but this section of my gallery is largely targeted towards the inexpensive stones in science stores or metaphysical shops, and mostly what is sold there are the iridescent, manmade ones.
But thanks for the comment! I'm sure it would prompt some collectors to look for natural bismuth, if they are fascinated by the element in general
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Neat bismuth information over at wiki:
Bismuth is the most naturally diamagnetic of all metals, and only mercury has a lower thermal conductivity. It is generally considered to be the last naturally occurring stable, non-radioactive element on the periodic table, although it is actually slightly radioactive, with an extremely long half-life. Elemental bismuth is one of very few substances of which the liquid phase is denser than its solid phase (water being the best-known example). Bismuth crystals may be grown using a household stove. Bismuth subsalicylate (the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol and today's Kaopectate) is used as an antidiarrheal and to treat some other gastro-intestinal diseases.
Suggestion: Especially try and include any neat information about the material in your Artist's Comments. Doing so makes people better appreciate what they're seeing and what many of them own.
Also, really nice sharp picture on this one. Well done!
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I did read and understand that, however I didn't want to repeat exactly what another, more reputable source says if I could just link to it. But I'll try and do more of that in the future.
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I've found that some of the people here on DA are hesitant to click "outside" links that they're unfamiliar with.
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Doesnt really take much it was a project in highschool
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I might look into trying it...it does sound like a nifty form of art and could probably be sold for a decent price. From what I've seen, there are artistic standards in creating well-formed clusters that are nice to view at fom as many angles as possible and can sit upright without a stand/support, so its worthy payment for effort put in rather than just materials cost
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and last I checked bismuth wasnt that expensive and isnt hard to melt it.
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Rather costly though, for its size...
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