Bismuth Crystal Quality

White graphic of three Bismuth crystals of different size.

QUALITY
GRADING

White graphic of a broken Bismuth crystal.

COMMON
FLAWS

White graphic of a bowl of Bismuth crystals.

BISMUTH
CARE

A superior quality gold and pink Bismuth crystal.

S Class

The top tier of perfection. Crystal formations with flawless shine and oxidation, free of impurities, blemishes or breaks.

  • No setting faces.

  • No impurity, no silvering.

  • No breaks or cracks.

A high-quality, single sided Bismuth crystal.

A Class

Stunning quality crystals ideal for display, with only minor flaws or impurities on some faces. Most display-worthy crystals fall into this category.

  • 1 setting face.

  • Minor impurity, no silvering.

  • No Breaks or cracks

A large blue Bismuth crystal with some obvious impurities.

B Class

Vibrant crystals with specific display angles. Some crystals are perfectly worthy of display while having obvious flaws on some faces.

  • Multiple setting faces.

  • Impurities on some faces.

  • Breakpoints on some faces.

Common Flaws

A Bismuth crystal with a thick film of impurities.

Impurities

As Bismuth cools, the surface forms a thin film of impurities that gather where molten metal meets air. This film often comes in contact with crystals during extraction or pouring, preventing oxidation colors from forming on the impure film.

A Bismuth crystal with a ground and sanded bottom side.
A Bismuth crystal with a natural, uneven bottom side.

Unfinished, molten setting face.

Finished, ground setting face.

Setting Faces

Most A- and B- Class crystals have a setting face that is less attractive than the others - think of it like “this side down” when placing on display. This face is usually the joint where the crystal was connected to the molten pool.

A shattered gold Bismuth crystal.

Cracks and Breaks

Bismuth is strangely brittle, and can shatter if dropped on a hard surface. Crystals sometimes have fragile breakpoints or cracks that must be handled with care to avoid further breakage.

Raw Bismuth chunks, silvery metal with a pinkish hue.

Oxidation Silvering

Bismuth is a silvery-colored metal by nature, but forms vibrant colors on the surface while cooling in contact with oxygen. These colors can be scratched off with abrasives or overhandling, and do not appear on broken edges.

A wooden bowl filled with multicolored Bismuth crystals.

Display & Handling

Bismuth crystals are beautiful to display, are non-toxic, non-reactive and generally safe to be around. They’re also cool to the touch, have sharp metallic edges, and are glassy-smooth on the surface.

They’re mesmerizing to look at and entrancing to hold in your hand, with a heavy, solid weightiness — though overhandling can cause some issues.

The natural abrasion of fingertips, as well as oils from the body, dust, and prolonged exposure to sunlight can all contribute to Oxidation Silvering, or the wearing away of the crystal’s color, back to a slightly rosy silver.

A wizard's staff with Bismuth crystals inlaid.

Décor & Jewelry

Bismuth crystals make beautiful embellishments on craft projects, sculptures, costumes and jewelry, but there are a few special conditions you should be aware of before starting your project:

  1. Bismuth is Heavy - If making jewelry, use small pieces of Bismuth so the weight of the item doesn’t cause discomfort.

  2. Bismuth Shatters - When including Bismuth in moving or wearable artwork, ensure it is either physically secured by wire, or attached with a strong medium like Epoxy Resin. Most Bismuth crystals will be destroyed when falling from shoulder height.

  3. Friction Removes Color - If using Bismuth as a necklace or bracelet charm, be aware that constant contact with skin and clothing can cause the colors to wear down in just a few days of use. Some coatings like clear enamel can protect the colorful surface, though it often degrades the shine, color, and feeling of the crystal.