tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7563481695249610141.post718132215637843476..comments2024-02-19T02:06:27.010-06:00Comments on The Home Scientist: Experiment: Growing Bismuth CrystalsDanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06495614313702847298noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7563481695249610141.post-15739463709504927892023-12-13T02:21:31.871-06:002023-12-13T02:21:31.871-06:00Thanks for sharing this blog. High Purity Aluminum...Thanks for sharing this blog. High Purity Aluminum & Compounds - Aluminum Oxide (Al2O3) Sales support, pricing and literature for Industrial uses.<br /><a href="https://www.ahpmat.com/" rel="nofollow">indium Oxide ( In2O3)</a><br />Kiet Floreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12394160803682715603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7563481695249610141.post-42124332468506213332023-11-19T13:47:22.528-06:002023-11-19T13:47:22.528-06:00It has some other medal in it. If you sooner heat ...It has some other medal in it. If you sooner heat it like almost boiling it. For almost 10 min it’s color will come backAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7563481695249610141.post-3952275446115611552023-04-23T14:05:35.563-05:002023-04-23T14:05:35.563-05:00Yes, bismuth can be melted back down.Yes, bismuth can be melted back down.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7563481695249610141.post-17776958081742583612023-04-23T14:03:53.490-05:002023-04-23T14:03:53.490-05:00No you cannot cook food in the pans after you melt...No you cannot cook food in the pans after you melt metal in themAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7563481695249610141.post-34926378796576815842020-09-19T19:37:17.514-05:002020-09-19T19:37:17.514-05:00If you use a crystal seed, would it not just melt ...If you use a crystal seed, would it not just melt into the batch?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18244697757695080830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7563481695249610141.post-83822827214587281712019-09-06T17:03:02.662-05:002019-09-06T17:03:02.662-05:00I have been growing bismuth crystals about 12 week...I have been growing bismuth crystals about 12 weeks now, and I have produced over 200 quality crystals that were over an inch averaging out to approx 30 grams each. I also have gotten crystals over 130 grams. Once you figure out the timing for cooling on each pot and amount of raw bismuth to use on each pot, it becomes much easier and faster to grow average size crystals. My own problem has been, that when I try using 20 pounds of raw bosmuth in a larger container, it is not as easy to figure put the timing when I use 10 pounds in a smaller pot. So I tend to just melt 10 pounds at a time. Has anyone figured out, how to insulate the sides of a pot that is 12 inches high and more narrow? If I could do that, then I could probably jump to a 40 pound melt, with hopes of getting at least one 16 ounce plus crystal. I know it is possible, because I have seen crysyals that are over 6 POUNDS.Michael Rochesterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07845922246664519860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7563481695249610141.post-7845333913761788682019-03-21T12:46:15.184-05:002019-03-21T12:46:15.184-05:00Yes I would be very interested, also do some brain...Yes I would be very interested, also do some brain mixing lol. Please if you get this reply. My name is Kenny Love to here from you. Thx Impatientely waiting KennyAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18422262731498689161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7563481695249610141.post-59987131970984570902017-12-13T11:25:23.172-06:002017-12-13T11:25:23.172-06:00Hi everyone.
I have been making bismuth crystals...Hi everyone. <br /> I have been making bismuth crystals for quite some time now supplying wholesalers & retailers around the globe. When I first started I made many mistakes trying different ways to get beautiful, colourful, and mind bending formations. I finally mastered the process with lots of practice and even more patience. I found that room temperature is the key factor and also vibration, humidity, correct supercooling but most importantly the purity of the bismuth. I now “grow” these crystals on a commercial scale making over 100kg per week and everyday I’m still learning about this fascinating element. <br />I can also provide anyone wishing to purchase bismuth at the same cost to me. <br />Regards to all <br />Jay83. Jay83https://www.blogger.com/profile/05271065608527296719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7563481695249610141.post-25227033510036250042017-03-16T03:51:07.706-05:002017-03-16T03:51:07.706-05:00High dan, I doing some experiment myself and wonde...High dan, I doing some experiment myself and wondered how to get different colors for the crystal, lets say i want my crystal to have a light blue and green color, is there a way to make that colour?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18319111062671221983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7563481695249610141.post-83837516291581222282016-09-30T16:30:22.213-05:002016-09-30T16:30:22.213-05:00Guys check out rotometals for buying the bismuth. ...Guys check out rotometals for buying the bismuth. Ill be buying some this coming week. Best prices I've found, great reviews, and 99.99 % bismuth...perfect for growing crystals i think.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7563481695249610141.post-19866589803965552702015-02-21T12:41:46.345-06:002015-02-21T12:41:46.345-06:00This is amazing! I would like to try it but I have...This is amazing! I would like to try it but I have a couple of questions. <br />1) Would I be overpaying if I get my Bi from sigma-aldrich (https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/product/aldrich/95372) that's $52 for 100g as opposed to getting it from ebay?<br />2) How do you get your crystal seed exactly? <br /><br />Thanks!<br />Asturlabnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7563481695249610141.post-67727957645640237152014-10-25T01:40:25.021-05:002014-10-25T01:40:25.021-05:00Hi,
I have been searching the net about perfect cr...Hi,<br />I have been searching the net about perfect crystals...ie bravais lattices,..crystals which have a perfect ordered structure.they exist in theory afaik but I do read about crystals grown in space and things like that, my question is :has anyone grown a perfect single crystal of a metal like steel or alumunium?if such a thing is possible ...what would be the properties of such a piece.?would it have better strength durablity etc?samnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7563481695249610141.post-40063331603226520832014-07-11T07:04:27.477-05:002014-07-11T07:04:27.477-05:00Hi,
I think a resin clear coat would be a good ide...Hi,<br />I think a resin clear coat would be a good idea. I've seen someone selling Bi jewelry on Etsy which are pretty spectacular looking. It doesn't look like he does anything extra to strengthen them, but it's possible there's a clear coat. You may also be able to alloy it with a very small percentage of antimony to increase strength, similar to what they do for lead. You'd have to experiment to see where the upper limit is before color or crystal structure are impacted.<br /><br />I have heard of PMC and did a little reading on it a while back. It sounds really interesting for sure. I'd be surprised if it could keep fine details, though, since surely it has to collapse and wrinkle a bit when the clay burns off. That sort of thing probably wouldn't work for bismuth, because the crystals need to grow out of the melt. Otherwise it's just a bunch of small particles that get sintered together, so there's no chance for crystals to grow. Its low melting point would probably also not be comparable with the clay process. Just speculation, though.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06495614313702847298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7563481695249610141.post-8834256272236447602014-07-02T19:57:01.111-05:002014-07-02T19:57:01.111-05:00Hi Dan- Thanks for your publication. I'm inter...Hi Dan- Thanks for your publication. I'm interested in using this beautiful metal for jewelry. But due to it's fragile nature, it would require some stabilization, and wonder if you have any suggestions. Perhaps a clear coating of some kind.<br />Also, have you heard of PMC (precious metal clay)? It's clay made from particles of various metal suspended in clay that is burned off in a kiln, leaving just the metal you've formed as desired. The bronze clay requires firing in an oxy free environ, and this is done in a fire proof container filled with cocoanut fiber inside a programmable kiln. The ramping times and temps can be precisley controlled. I was wondering if this might offer some advantages for forming bizmuth crystals. Have you seen this done? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. <br />Thanks for sharing your experience! MSquidMotherSquidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01892391772127194365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7563481695249610141.post-58756616351281969132014-06-11T07:16:07.067-05:002014-06-11T07:16:07.067-05:00Sounds like fun! From start to finish this probabl...Sounds like fun! From start to finish this probably took me 45 minutes, but you can cut that way down to probably 10 minutes for a demonstration. You don't even need the fancy seed crystal setup - I've made plenty of good quality crystals by just melting in a container (takes under 5 minutes with a good heat source), waiting a few minutes, then pouring off the liquid. It takes some practice to know when to pour, since you can't tell how solidified it is without disturbing it, and disturbing it disrupts large crystals from forming! Slow cooling, an undisturbed melt, and high purity all lead to large, well-formed crystals. 99% should work fine. In my experience, higher purity leads to richer colors, too.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06495614313702847298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7563481695249610141.post-92017001244593614042014-06-11T00:58:48.858-05:002014-06-11T00:58:48.858-05:00Fantastic blog.... Thank you for giving all those ...Fantastic blog.... Thank you for giving all those valuable little details... Actually I am at a Chemistry camp and I want to demonstrate Crystal Growing to my kids here. Could you give me a rough estimate of how long it took you for the entire process?<br />I have some Bi from the lab... 99% pure. Will that work?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7563481695249610141.post-73426347656422042842014-01-29T21:02:37.675-06:002014-01-29T21:02:37.675-06:00Pardon me but It is a silly question. Use old pots...Pardon me but It is a silly question. Use old pots, get something from a charity shop or find something that will do the job. Why would you use good cooking pots for this? I have several pots that are rarely used so I sacrificed one for this, it works fine and I'm now refining my technique. Good luck with it though.craftyvhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13608588377914527449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7563481695249610141.post-38134108773782818482013-08-12T15:59:37.571-05:002013-08-12T15:59:37.571-05:00The only thing I can think of is that each time yo...The only thing I can think of is that each time you melt it, it picks up impurities from the container. Some of these are removed when taking away the oxide layer, but it looks like enough remain to start messing with the color of your crystals. That's just my hypothesis, though. The higher the purity, the better the colors - my 6N grade semiconductor bismuth produces beautiful reds and golds, while the 4N from eBay shifts more towards blues and greens.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06495614313702847298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7563481695249610141.post-67362107730978573572013-06-15T09:39:51.994-05:002013-06-15T09:39:51.994-05:00Hi. Thanks a lot for this complete and clear expla...Hi. Thanks a lot for this complete and clear explanations. Just with the spirit of contributing to general knoledge, I woul like to point out that bismuth crystals do appear in nature. There are a sort of egg-shaped rocks called "geodes" that are formed from molten material expelled from volcanoes. When the surface cools down, it forms a crust that isolates the inner semi-molten material. Then, this stuff cools down very slowly, an so conditions for crystal growing are provided. I´ve seen pictures of geodes from Ehiopia with the inner space filled with beatifuly shaped and colored bismuth crystals (http://imgur.com/RdMJZnM). Again, I only adding informtion to your valuable blog. Best regards Horaciohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11897779430349022809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7563481695249610141.post-30422190247872841002013-06-14T13:49:27.059-05:002013-06-14T13:49:27.059-05:00Hi, thanks for posting. Just yesterday i had fun...Hi, thanks for posting. Just yesterday i had fun growing homemade Bismuth crystals. It was fun and rewarding by experimenting , the crystals now are bigger about half inch. the tricky part for me is slowing the cooling process and figuring out when to pour out the excessive molten (for my ladle now its about 30 to 60 seconds). any idea on delaying cooling process to get bigger crystals?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7563481695249610141.post-28643479825512075582013-06-04T17:57:58.468-05:002013-06-04T17:57:58.468-05:00Thanks for the clear and fantastic way you've ...Thanks for the clear and fantastic way you've set this out! I have a question based on the following: I've been doing the same as you, trying to grow bismuth crystals. Each time I made a molten pot of metal I scraped of the molten slag, as I had seen done on YouTube, and then binned the said slag. The first crystals I made were shades of blue, purple and reddish colours. When I didn't like a crystal I would re-melt it and start again, scraping off any slag which formed. Each crystal had a different colour, up until a point when the molten metal produced silver crystals with no colour whatsoever, which is irritating since the colours are half the beauties of the crystals. Any ideas as to why the metal stopped producing coloured crystals? If you have a reason, and a solution then that would be great. In anticipation of whatever wise words you can give me, thanks for the help!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7563481695249610141.post-62491508538723396552013-05-28T10:05:17.117-05:002013-05-28T10:05:17.117-05:00I've never seen the triangle formations before...I've never seen the triangle formations before; if you have pictures I'd love to see them. The lack of color is an interesting subject, actually! Normally to make Bi crystals oxide-free, the melting must be done in an oxygen-free environment like a glove box. However, I have a friend on YouTube that was somehow making silvery bismuth in open air. It was quite a mystery for a while, until he sent a sample in to a university to get it analyzed. Turns out there was a significant impurity of tin alloyed in, which apparently impedes oxide layer formation. Pretty neat, and I really didn't expect that. His name on YouTube is hkparker and he's got some great videos, check him out!Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06495614313702847298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7563481695249610141.post-43010145994829028012013-05-21T02:02:19.204-05:002013-05-21T02:02:19.204-05:00Have you ever seen the bismuth crystals for perfec...Have you ever seen the bismuth crystals for perfect triangles, instead of the typical square step pattern? I bought a pound of Bismuth, and the second time I melted it down, the crystals didn't oxidize or tarnish. They remained a shiny platinum-like color/finish. Also, ALL the crystals that time formed only triangles, there wasn't a single right angle anywhere. Since then, I've tried to find some kind of mention of triangle bismuth crystals online, and haven't found anything. Anyone ever seen this happen?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06309068282754583948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7563481695249610141.post-91678078084318516132013-01-29T19:58:36.142-06:002013-01-29T19:58:36.142-06:00You can melt it. Bismuth is always in crystaline f...You can melt it. Bismuth is always in crystaline form, but in bars you don't see them. They are all fused together.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7563481695249610141.post-77130561125570888322012-05-28T13:37:20.119-05:002012-05-28T13:37:20.119-05:00HI WEIDOHI WEIDOAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com