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Lab-Grown Bismuth Crystals Source: Home Grown Purity: 99.999% Upon Melting I grew these Bismuth hopper crystals in the usual fashion: Melt a whole bunch of high-purity Bismuth in an inert crucible, slow cool it, wait until it supercools a bit (the walls start to solidify) then VIOLENTLY THROW THE REMAINING LIQUID METAL ACROSS THE ROOM. The exposed crystals will oxidize, and the thickness of the thin film of oxide determines the color of the crystals. It's best when different regions cool at different rates (like here), and you get a range of iridescent colors. |
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Bismuth Shot Source: Found, Sherwood Forest (don't ask) Purity: 99.99995% Oh man, I can't wait to see how good the crystals will be from THIS stuff! I know I sound like a meth dealer, but rest assured I'm far more interested in crystal growth and materials science than drug dealing. |
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4" Bismuth Hemisphere Source: Found, Massive Lab Cleanout Purity: 99.99% This hemisphere is awesome. It was obviously cast in a smooth, inert vessel, as little oxidation has occured. In addition, the second photo shows evidense of squarish crystals in the bulk, so that if the surrounding metal were melted away (somehow) gorgeous Bismuth hopper crystals would be visible. I'm content to leave it as a solid hemisphere. |
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Bismuth Lump Source: "Borrowed", High School Chemistry Lab Purity: >99.5% This lump of Bismuth was one of my first acquisitions to the element collection. Our school was purging itself, and among less desired things (Sodium Cyanide, Uranyl Nitrate...) I found this nice Bismuth lump. Interestingly, the metal feels slippery to the touch even after thorough cleaning. I imagine that's due to smooth, cleaved crystal faces, or something. |