May 12 2014
Bismite is a bismuth oxide mineral that was first discovered in 1868 in the Goldfield, Nevada, USA. The mineral was named after the presence of bismuth in its composition.
Properties of Bismite
The following are the key properties of Bismite:
- Cell Data
- Space Group: P21/c
- a = 5.851
- b = 8.169
- c = 7.513
- ρ = 112°58'
- Z = 4
- Crystal Data
- Monoclinic, pseudo-orthorhombic
- Point Group: 2/m
- Crystals microscopic, rare; earthy to pulverulent, compact granular, massive
- X-ray Powder Pattern: 3.232 (10), 2.676 (9), 1.670 (8), 1.640 (8), 1.951 (7.5), 1.740 (7.5), 1.167 (7)
- Optical Properties
- Optical Class: Biaxial
- Dispersion: High
- n = > 2.42
- 2V(meas.) = n.d.
- Estimated Properties
| Electron density |
Bulk density (electron density)=7.34 g/cm3
note: Specific gravity of Bismite =9 g/cm3 |
| Photoelectric |
PEBismite = 1770.07 barns/electron
U= PEBismite x ρ Electron density= 12991.76 barns/cm3 |
| Fermion index |
Fermion index = 0.00005
Boson index = 0.99 |
Radioactivity
|
Bismite is not radioactive
|
How to Identify Bismite
Bismite is a yellow, gray-green or green-yellow mineral, having transparent to translucent appearance, light yellow streak and adamantine luster. It can be formed as earthy, scaly, or pulverulent structures.
The average density of the mineral is 9 g/cm3, and its hardness ranges from 4 to 5.
Global Distribution
Bismite is distributed in the following places:
- Near Colavi, at Tazna, and Llallagua, Bolivia
- Harding mine, Dixon, Taos Co. New Mexico, USA
- Victor mine, Rincon, and in a number of the pegmatites at Pala, San Diego Co. Also near Baker, San Bernardino Co. California
- Missouri mine, Park Co. Colorado
- Ebisu mine, Gifu Prefecture, Japan
Occurrence of Bismite and Useful Mineral Association
Bismite occurs as an oxidation product of bismuth. It is closely associated with cassiterite, bismutite, and bismuth.
References