BISMUTH

pronunciation – Bismuth – “biz-muhth”

A stone for shifting one’s perspective, Bismuth lends itself to problem-solving and helps the user make the most out of time spent alone. These crystals contain heavy metal, and the oxidation process grants them a brilliant rainbow hue. Raw, natural Bismuth displays different shapes and formations than when it originates from a lab. Want to know more? Read on to learn more about Bismuth!

SPIRITUAL HEALING PROPERTIES OF BISMUTH

Bismuth eases symptoms of isolation, both emotional and spiritual. This renders it an excellent mineral to work with during open-eyed meditation, introspection, and contemplation. Further, tracing the pathways of this crystal’s unique structure can help with deeply processing thoughts, feelings, and needs.

Bismuth’s geometric patterns guide the development of non-traditional solutions to problems. When one’s perspective shifts, unseen possibilities become clear and new ways of approaching life are revealed.

Additionally, Bismuth inspires focus and determination in entrepreneurs in order to place them on the path to success. This stone also lends itself to the development of technical skills such as learning how to use a computer or operate a new computer program. It does so by creating focus and direction in technical settings. Bismuth can even create harmony within information technology teams by helping the group work together with ease toward a shared technical vision.

PHYSICAL HEALING PROPERTIES OF BISMUTH

“In health care, as bismuth has low toxicity to humans, bismuth-based drugs such as colloidal bismuth subcitrate, ranitidine bismuth citrate, bismuth subsalicylate, bismuth iodoform, and radioactive bismuth complexes have been developed and used in clinics to treat various diseases. In most cases, bismuth therapies exhibit high therapeutic efficacies and few side effects…”

“Major applications of bismuth in medicine and health care are related to its high effectiveness in treating burns, intestinal disorders, and stomach ulcers as well as its potential activities against microorganisms, viruses, and malignant tumors.”

“The medical use of bismuth can be traced back to 200 years ago, and bismuth-related agents have been involved in the treatment of a wide range of diseases including syphilis, colitis, wound infection, and parasite infections.”

Wang, Runming, et al. “Bismuth: Environmental Pollution and Health Effects.” Edited by Jerome Nriagu, Encyclopedia of Environmental Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 12 Sept. 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7152204/.

PHOTO GALLERY

BISMUTH CRYSTAL CORRESPONDENCES

HEALING PROPERTIES	Contemplation, Focus, New Paths, Teamwork, Meditation
CHAKRAS	Root, Heart, Crown
ZODIAC SIGNS	Aquarius, Leo
PLANETARY RULERS	Uranus, Sun
NUMBERS	2, 9, 11
TAROT	The High Priestess, The Hermit, Justice
COLORS	Rainbow, Metallic
ELEMENTS	Fire, Metal
DEITIES	Vanadis [a nickname for Freya], Cronus, Hades
PAIRINGS	Cabalto Calcite, Eucryptite, Yellow Fluorite, Analcime

LORE & HISTORY 

French scientist Claude Geoffroy officially discovered Bismuth as a chemical element in 1753. The origin of Bismuth’s name comes from the German phrase weisse masse meaning white mass. However, the element’s name was already present in some scientific treaties around 1400.

In fact, before Geoffroy, the Swiss scientist Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim (1493 – 1541), better known by his Latinized name of Paracelsus, mentioned the word bisemutum. He said that the Latin word came from the German term wissmut. This term originated from two others: gemutet for the mineral being extracted and in den wiesen referring to the fields in Saxony from which it was sourced.

Other accounts state that the word comes from another similar German word weissmuth meaning white material; this is supported by the fact that Bismuth is a bright metal of white color.

HOW TO USE BISMUTH

On the Body: Hold and gaze at Bismuth during open-eyed meditation or general reflection to help shift perspective, gain clarity, reveal hidden possibilities, and access the Akashic Records.

Inside: Place in your workspace for vitality and focus on any tasks at hand.

CLEANING AND CLEANSING BISMUTH

Physical Cleaning: Bismuth can be cleaned with a mild soap or detergent and rinsed or canned air can be used to remove dirt or debris.

Energetic Cleansing: There are numerous ways to energetically cleanse Bismuth.

• Set on or next to Selenite or Satin Spar, or set in lavender.
• Use smoke from herb bundles or incense.
• Cleanse using the water method by running it under cool water with your fingers pointed toward the drain of the sink. Do this for about 30 seconds. Dry gently with a towel, and set out to dry completely.
• Charge under the full moonlight.

BISMUTH TOXICITY AND POTENTIAL ALLERGENS

Bismuth is a heavy metal and can be toxic or cause allergic reactions in some people.

“Heavy metal.” (Healing Crystals)

For more information and citations regarding toxic, poisonous, and otherwise dangerous crystals, visit our Toxic Crystals page!

GEM ELIXIRS

Bismuth is a heavy metal which renders it unsafe for use in gem elixirs made with the direct method. Only use the indirect method for creating a gem elixir with this stone.

OTHER NAMES FOR BISMUTH

Common Names: Wismuth
Trade Names: N/A
Trademarked Names: Pepto-Bismol (a subsalicylate of Bismuth)

GEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

Bismuth is an element that crystallizes in spectacular stair-step formations when grown in a laboratory. It is a metal with a naturally iridescent oxide tarnish. Referred to as Wismuth until the end of the 16th century, Bismuth is a brittle, silvery white metal with a low melting point and a density close to lead. 

It has soothing properties on wounds and sores and is the main ingredient in Pepto Bismol, which acts as an anti-inflammatory, antacid, and anti-microbial agent.  Bismuth rarely occurs in sufficient amounts on its own and is usually mined as a byproduct of mining lead ores. 

Though it forms with lead, modern refining has been able to isolate Bismuth to 99.95% purity.  Bismuth is relatively non-toxic, allowing it to replace lead in many applications such as birdshot, lubricating greases, pigments, and solder.  Alloys of Bismuth with tin or lead are used as triggers on fire sprinkler heads. 

It is one of the only metals that expands as it solidifies, making it perfect for applications that require a tight grip, such as devices to hold optical lenses during grinding.  Though Bismuth naturally appears as a silvery-white metal, it oxidizes easily, resulting in its distinctive bright rainbow iridescence.  

CHEMICAL FORMULA	Bi
SHAPE	Hexagonal Scalenohedral
CRYSTAL SYSTEM	Trigonal
HABIT	Granular, Lamellar, Platy
COLOR	Silver white, Pinkish white, Red.
STREAK	Silver white
LUSTER	Metallic
DIAPHANEITY	Opaque
HARDNESS	2-2.5 Mohs
CLEAVAGE	{0001} Perfect
FRACTURE	Uneven
SPECIFIC GRAVITY	9.7-9.8 g/cm3
REFRACTIVE INDEX	N/A
OPTICAL PROPERTIES	N/A

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DISCLAIMER

Crystallography Gems, inc. and CrystallographyGems.com do not dispense medical advice nor prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for medical problems. Always seek the advice of your medical physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions that you might have about a medical condition.