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trtlman
Joined: 28 Jun 2011
Posts: 172
Location: Washington
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Gerhard Niklasch
Joined: 27 Mar 2009
Posts: 134
Location: Munich
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Posted: Jul 09, 2011 15:25 Post subject: Re: The bismuth eggs are they a home grow? |
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They were offered at the "Crystal growing" stall (a German vendor, despite the name), and as far as I know this was a novelty at SMaM 2011. I don't know how exactly they are made, but I also think a mold is probably involved. And. I would guess, at least a kind of workshop, if not an outright industrial process.
If anyone knows more, please do chime in! (Even though they're not natural, sorry Jordi! ;) )
Cheers, Gerhard |
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Paul S
Joined: 20 Mar 2010
Posts: 79
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Posted: Jul 09, 2011 15:38 Post subject: Re: The bismuth eggs are they a home grow? |
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I know all about making these crystals, I do it myself all the time! It's a lovely way to spend your time and the results are always different, but beautiful!
These egg-shaped crystals are indeed made by using an egg-shaped mold, but any mold would be possible. Pour in motlen bismuth (~273 oC melting point) and let it cool down a bit. It starts to crystalize and after a while the still liquid bismuth can be poured out of the mold and the crystals stay. Remove the mold and voila, your bismuth egg is ready. Using a large, open volume, you can make single crystals of this stuff, but they are always hoppered. The color is caused by a layer of bismuth oxide on the outside of the crystals, formed while cooling down in the pressence of oxygen.
There is so much more to tell, but I won't give you all the tricks of the trade though ;-)
But you can always PM me for questions/suggestions! |
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growcrystal
Joined: 06 Oct 2011
Posts: 6
Location: Oregon
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Posted: Oct 12, 2011 18:50 Post subject: Re: The bismuth eggs are they a home grow? |
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A really cool project for the kids in my home, that this thread directed me to. Thanks so much guys this is cool, we made a diamond-shaped mold and it came out pretty cool. |
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Urza
Joined: 03 Oct 2011
Posts: 2
Location: ATLANTA
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Posted: Jul 12, 2012 12:52 Post subject: Re: The bismuth eggs are they a home grow? |
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BismuthGuy has really nice bismuth art. Google it |
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