Bismite
| Bismite | |
|---|---|
Bismite | |
| General | |
| Category | Oxide minerals |
| Formula | Bi2O3 |
| IMA symbol | Bis |
| Strunz classification | 4.CB.60 |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Crystal class | Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol) |
| Space group | P21/c |
| Identification | |
| Color | Grey |
| Fracture | Uneven |
| Streak | Grey to black |
| References | |
Bismite is a bismuth oxide mineral, bismuth trioxide or Bi2O3. It is a monoclinic mineral, but the typical form of occurrence is massive and clay-like with no macroscopic crystals. The color varies from green to yellow. It has a Mohs hardness of 4 to 5 and a specific gravity of 8.5 to 9.5, quite high for a nonmetallic mineral.
Bismite is a secondary oxidation zone mineral which forms from primary bismuth minerals.
It was first described from Goldfield, Nevada in 1868, and later from the Schneeberg District, Ore Mountains, Saxony, Germany.