Bismuth crystals, with their unusual box-like configuration, do not occur in nature. These man-made crystals are grown from molten bismuth in a laboratory. As the bismuth melt is super-cooled, the atoms arrange to create an interesting triagonal crystal structure. The iridescent rainbow of colors is caused by light scattering off thin layers of bismuth oxide formed when the surface of the hot bismuth reacts with the air. Bismuth is used commercially in medicines, pigments and low-melting-point alloys. This mineral is made up primarily of only one element bismuth–and is therefore known as a native element. Bismuth (Bi), with the atomic number of 83 on the periodic chart, is the heaviest element that is stable and non-radioactive.

Picture of the Bismuth Specimen is representative of the samples you will receive. Each small bismuth specimen is unique and will vary in shape, size and appearance.  No two rocks will be exactly alike. Each of the mini bismuth samples in this set of 5 will measure less than .5 inch and display lovely circuit like iridescence.

 
Origin: Europe