Mineral - Bismuth
Bismuth
Chemical Properties
Mineral Class
Elements
Toxicity
none
Formula
Bi
Unit Cell
a=4.55 c=11.86 Z=6
Physical Properties
Hardness
2 - 2.5
Streak
whitesilver
Density
Very Heavy (>6)
Cleavage
Perfect after {0001}, distinct after {10 1 1}, indistinct after {10 1 4}
Fracture
Tenacity
Supple
Optical Properties
Color
blackgraybronze
Birefringence
Luster
Metallic
Transparency
opaque
Pleochroism
Geomineralogical Properties
Crystal System
trigonal
Point Group
ditrigonal-scalenohedral - 3 m
Space Group
R 3 m (166)
Habit
dendritic, coarse, massive, skeletal, stair-shaped
Formation
In hydrothermal ore deposits
Paragenesis
Twinning
Rarity
Rather rare
Synonyms
Bismut, Wismut, Bismuth, Native Bismuth
Composition
Elements
Mass
Bi
98.77
Sb
0.50
As
0.19
S
0.20
Mexico (Palache et al. 1952)
Groups and Members
Arsenic-Group