Bismuth

About it

Pinkish silver-white, heavy metal with a perfect cleavage; natural crystals are rare. The rainbow hopper crystals sold everywhere are grown from melted bismuth. Found in Bolivia, Saxony, and Cobalt, Ontario.

Type

Mineral

Group

Native element, arsenic group

Formula

Bi

Hardness (Mohs)

2–2.5

Specific gravity

9.7–9.8

Streak

silver white

Lustre

metallic

Crystal system

Trigonal

Colours

silver white with a pinkish tint, iridescent tarnish

Transparency

opaque

Cleavage and fracture

perfect basal; sectile to brittle

Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.