Bismuth – properties, virtues & benefits
Discover Bismuth Stone, a fascinating mineral with unique properties, used in art and science for its shimmering colors and varied applications. Immerse yourself in a world of beauty and innovation.
BISMUTH CHARACTERISTICS
- Chakra: Crown.
- Properties: Transformation, protection, purification.
- Astrology: Mercury.
- Zodiac: Taurus.
- Elements: Metal.
- Colors: Multicolor, iridescence.
- Hardness: 2-2.5 (Mohs scale).
- Chemical Formula: Bi.
- Associated god: Hermes (Roman Mercury).
BISMUTH – HIS HISTORY
Bismuth stone is an unusual mineral with a pure body and principal compounds that was identified and described in 1753 by chemist Claude Geoffroy le Jeune by separating it from lead. Physicists have always recognized Bi as a stable element, and its toxic properties have long been likened to those of tin or lead. The original bismuth is a simple chemical body in the form of lamellar masses, and belongs to the arsenic-based substances. Hydrothermal and geothermal veins characterize this mineral, which contains mixed sulfides based on nickel and tin-50, cobalt and some silver, uranium, arsenic, veinlets based on topaz, Sn tin or W tungsten, and granitic cassiterite pegmatites. Bismuth is a reddish-white or grayish-white metal, very dense and lustrous, soft, rigid and brittle, appearing as coarsely rhombohedral crystals.
The German name Wismut or Wismuth was taken from the Arabic name Bi ismid or bi ” ” ithmid, and the proposal of wîkschepel is unfortunately much more common in the laboratory than in mining. The original stone, referred to as gediegener Wismuth or gewachsener Wismuth in German, existed in several guises, including Wismuthwürfel, federwismuth, Dentritischer Wismut, Taubenhalsiger Wismut, SPiegelwismut or Zeitiger Wismuth, sandigeswismuth, Wismuthsanderz, Wismuthblümen, and Wismuthblüthe. The name Wismutherz was associated with ordinary bismuth ore, including bismuthinite and its derivatives. Wismuthglanz represented the ore’s sulfide.
For the pewter potter-50, the verb “wismuthen” referred to soldering with bismuth.
BISMUTH STONE – ITS ORIGIN AND COMPOSITION
Bismuth stone, identified by the symbol Bi and with an atomic number of 83, belongs to group 15, also known as the pnictogen group. It is less toxic than lead and can be used as a substitute for the latter in certain applications. However, unlike trace elements, it has no known physiological role. Although bismuth stone is slightly present in animal organisms, its ecological and organizational kinetics are not much studied compared to other similar heavy metals. Theoretically, it can be bound to phosphorus, antimony and arsenic, as well as lead and tin, but it is predominantly chalcophilic, meaning it has an affinity for sulfides rather than oxides.Bismuth crystal, in its simplest form, is a bright silvery-white metal with a reddish tinge, which is hard and brittle, and all its vapors and salts are toxic. Its atomic and electronic structure is expressed by the formula [Xe] (4f) 14 (5d) 10 (6 s) 2 (6p) 3. Assuming negligible sPin, the +3 and +5 oxidation degrees are due to the endowment or subtraction of electrons with the same quantum state. In these compounds, the first degree is more common than the second, due to the inertia of the s-doublet combined with obvious spherical symmetry. As a result, the ionic radius of the Bi3+ ion is around 1.2 Å, while that of the Bi5+ ion is reduced to 0.74 Å.
In Western Europe, medieval miners searching for veins of chalcophile, cuprous, lead-bearing, cobalt-bearing or silver-bearing ores were familiar with bismuth, as well as its common compounds sulfur and oxygen, even if they didn’t describe them in their practice. In confined mining environments, bismuth was often present in its native state, although it was often confused with natural antimony in ancient times. There are 35 known isotopes of bismuth, of which only one, bismuth-209, occurs in nature, making it a mononuclear substance. Although long considered stable, a 2003 demonstration showed that it is in fact radioactive, with a remarkable half-life of over a billion times the age of the universe. It decays to stable thallium 205 by an α reaction of energy 3.14 MeV.Bismuth was produced semi-industrially from sulfide ores, mainly bismuthinite, or from associated ore oxides. Today, it is mainly a co-product of the refining of lead-82, copper, silver, tin-50, gold and especially tungsten. The main ore producers were Bolivia, Mexico and Peru in the 1990s, but China is now the world’s largest producer.bismuth can be obtained in metallic form refined to over 99% purity by dry electrolysis. The Tasna mine in Bolivia and the Shizhuyuan mine in China are the only extraction sites for this material in 2010, China being the world’s largest producer, mainly by flotation of wolframite ores. The facilities required to process the ores include flotation beneficiation, sulfide roasting, carbonization and oxidative bismuth stone smelting.Bismuth is a rare metal, ranked 73rd among the abundant constituents of the earth’s crust, and occurs naturally in only a small proportion of the environment. It is poorly soluble and its mobility in the environment is still poorly understood, as it is not often studied in routine environmental studies of water, air, soil or food products. Its concentration in rural air is less than 1 µg/m3 and comes mainly from rainfall, volcanic emissions and soil erosion, but anthropogenic sources (industry, combustion, etc.) have increased in recent decades.bismuth content in the earth’s crust averages 0.048 µg/g, and in unpolluted soils it averages 0.2 µg/g. Fungicides containing bismuth can also come into direct contact with food crops, as can certain bismuth-rich natural fertilizers. However, this source is generally considered negligible compared to background geochemistry. Its presence in drinking water is very low, but it nevertheless supplies from 5 to 20 µg/day. In plants, the concentration of bismuth is very low and often at the limit of detection (< 0.06 µg/g), even in plants growing on contaminated soil. However, this level can increase considerably in the vicinity of mining sites. Leaves are the main site of bismuth concentration in plants, rather than fruits or seeds, and root transfer coefficients are very low (10-5 to 10-4). In most soils, bismuth content is so low that it rarely exceeds the phyto-toxicity threshold (between 1 and 100 ppm, according to Senesi in 1979).
Bismuth is a rare metal that occurs naturally in small quantities in the environment. Its presence in air, soil and water is generally very low, although anthropogenic sources have increased in recent decades. Studies on the toxicity of bismuth to animals and the environment are few and far between, revealing that bismuth shot in hunting cartridges is a source of pollution in wetlands. Concentrations of bismuth in the tissues of birds killed by cartridges are also significant. The toxic effects of bismuth are complex, as they cannot be deduced from the dose or duration of exposure. It has been shown in mice that the metal is not as insoluble as previously thought, and that it can cross the blood-brain barrier. A more recent imaging technique suggested that bismuth could also target the testicles, raising questions about possible reprotoxicity. The millions of bismuth-containing hunting cartridges dispersed each hunting season pollute the soil, but do not appear to affect local vegetation, even in acidic environments. The environmental and health hazards of bismuth are not yet fully understood, although it is increasingly used to manufacture hunting ammunition.
The text discusses the presence of bismuth in the environment and its origins. This rare metal occurs naturally in only a small proportion of the environment, and its mobility in the environment is still poorly understood. Its concentration in rural air is less than 1 µg/m3 and comes mainly from rainfall, volcanic emissions and anthropogenic sources such as industry and combustion. It is found in the earth’s crust at an average of 0.048 µg/g and in unpolluted soils at an average of 0.2 µg/g. Its presence in drinking water is very low, but fungicides containing it and certain natural fertilizers can be enriched with it. In plants, it is found in very low doses, but levels can increase significantly in the vicinity of mining sites. Contamination of terrestrial and aquatic animals is rare, but shot, some of which contains 91% of this mineral, is an emerging source of pollution. Humans also contributed almost 15 t/year of additional environmental contamination around 1995, and bismuth levels in air, soil, water and some foods may be abnormally high due to metallurgy, certain mining activities, the welding industry and the increasing use of ammunition for hunting. The main origins of bismuth in the environment are volcanic emissions, continental wind erosion and sea salinization, metallurgy, mining activities, geochemical affinities and certain industries. Bismuth ores are found in hydrothermal veins and hydrothermal faults in the earth’s crust, notably in the form of sulfides, oxides and carbonates.
BISMUTH STONE – VERTIES AND PROPERTIES
BISMUTH ON THE PSYCHOLOGICAL LEVEL
The text above talks about the properties of a certain mineral considered a precious stone for the mind. This stone is used to pass from the physical to the astral level and is considered one of the best diamagnetics in its pure state, as it is able to practically neutralize a magnetic field. This stone can be used to nourish the higher chakras, such as the coronal, and to practice various meditations. In addition, this mineral is considered an excellent stimulant for overcoming life’s trials and for better analyzing our perception of the world. Finally, it’s recommended to keep this stone when moving house; it should be the first thing in and the last thing out of the house.
BISMUTH ON THE PHYSICAL LEVEL
The physical properties of bismuth stone are many and interesting. It stimulates creativity by effectively organizing thought. It has anti-infectious, analgesic and anti-inflammatory virtues that are particularly suited to infectious disorders accompanied by pain and fever. It also strengthens the immune system to combat external pathogens, especially viruses. Throat infections, larynx pain and gastric disorders can all be treated with this stone. It is also recommended for recurrent disorders and heartburn. In short, the bismuth stone is a valuable mineral for maintaining physical health and for mental stimulation.
BISMUTH STONE – CLEAN AND RECHARGE
To clean and recharge the bismuth stone, follow these steps:
- Cleaning: Gently place the bismuth stone in a glass or ceramic container filled with lukewarm water and a few drops of mild soap. Let it soak for a few minutes. Avoid harsh chemicals, as they may damage the stone.
- Rinsing: Remove the bismuth stone from the soapy water and rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove any soap residue. Make sure the stone is completely clean.
- Drying: Gently dry the bismuth stone with a soft, clean cloth. Avoid rubbing too hard, as this may scratch the stone’s delicate surface.
- Recharging: Expose the bismuth stone to sunlight or moonlight for several hours to recharge. Natural light will help eliminate accumulated negative energies and restore its vibratory properties.
- Storage: Store your bismuth stone in a dry place away from direct sunlight when not in use. This will help preserve its energetic qualities and natural beauty.
Note that bismuth stone is quite fragile and can break easily. Handle it with care to avoid damaging its crystalline structure.
WHERE DOES THE NAME BISMUTH COME FROM?
The name “bismuth” has its origins in the German and Latin languages. It derives from the German word “Wismut” (or “Wisuth” in some variants), meaning “mass white”. The term “Wismut” itself is composed of two words: “wis”, meaning “white” or “pale”, and “mut”, meaning “mass” or “substance”.
In medieval Latin texts, bismuth was often called “bisemutum” or “bismutum”, which are adaptations of the German word. The name evolved over time to become “bismuth” in most modern European languages.
Bismuth has been known and used since ancient times, but was often confused with other metals, such as tin or lead, due to its similar color and density. It wasn’t until the 16th century that scientists began to clearly distinguish bismuth from other metals and assign it a specific name.
WHICH CHAKRA DOES BISMUTH ACT ON?
Bismuth acts primarily on the crown chakra, also known as Sahasrara in Sanskrit. This chakra is located at the top of the head and represents sPiritual awareness, connection with the universe and self-realization. Bismuth is reputed to promote personal and sPiritual transformation, helPing to balance and open the crown chakra. Opening this chakra allows access to higher levels of awareness and intuition, facilitating sPiritual growth and connection with the divine.
WHICH ASTROLOGICAL SIGN IS ASSOCIATED WITH BISMUTH?
Bismuth is associated with the astrological sign of Taurus. Taurus is an earth sign, known for its stable, practical and patient nature. Bismuth, with its transformative, protective and purifying properties, can be particularly beneficial for people born under this sign. It can help them adapt to change and free themselves from negative energies, while strengthening their sense of stability and connection to the earth.
BISMUTH STONE SUMMARY
Bismuth stone is a rare stone in lithotherapy, but is highly valued for its energetic properties. This stone is known to bring a sense of peace and tranquility to the wearer. It is also used to help balance the chakras, particularly the crown chakra.
Bismuth stone is also considered a stone of transformation. It can help clear emotional blockages and make it easier to make important decisions. It is also useful for helPing to relieve physical pain and muscle tension.
Finally, bismuth stone is used in meditation to help achieve a higher state of consciousness and to stimulate creativity. It is also considered an energetic protection stone, which can help block negative energies and maintain a positive aura.