Bismuth xls (lab grown) Halpern Coll.

Item Description

Absolutely fabulous hoppering on all sides of this surreal man-made synthetic Bismuth specimen from Germany. The stunning psychedelic iridescent metallic colors enhance the fantastic stepped-growth form of the dramatically hoppered and amazing piece. These incredible man-made bismuth crystals float to the top of a supercooled bismuth melt and form within minutes. The iridescent colors are caused by light scattering on a very thin layer of bismuth oxide. Certainly a spectacular form with eye-catching color for a man-made native element! Not natural 100%, but so, so neat and mesmerizing and fun to look at! The iridescent colors and geometric forms are truly surreal. From the collection of well-known Jack Halpern of San Francisco, as featured in the Mineralogical Record, March 2005. Jack kept a row of beautiful synthetic and man made mineral specimens on a top shelf in his mineral room, because he found them beautiful in their own regard, and also educational.