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This is bismuth like you\'ve never seen. Here at its boxiest, bismuth is a rather brittle element that despite looking at first glance like any other metal dropping a piece on the floor is likely to shatter it like glass. It melts easily but you wouldn\'t be able to get it cast into this shape as cavities tend to form on the wall of the mold and milling it would again cause surface fractures.
Bismuth is best known for the terraced crystals it forms like the one shown here on top of the 50mm version of the cube. The Escher-like shapes happen because the crystal solidifies from its molten state at different speeds. As one wall outpaces another it forces the creation of junctions at 90 degree angles. The colors are actually a result of oxidation. Although just a few microns thick the varying thicknesses each absorb and reflect different wavelengths of light thus creating a full palette of gorgeous colors.
The 10mm weighs 9.8g, the 25.4mm 160g and the 50mm clocks in at over 1,200 grams.
Listing is for one 10x10x10mm cube with an acrylic storage box.
Luciteria Science is a scientific collectibles company operating in Olympia, Washington. For our full product line please visit our website.
