Bismite is a rare secondary mineral that typically forms as a yellowish earthy crust or powdery aggregate resulting from the oxidation of native bismuth. It is found most commonly in the oxidized parts of hydrothermal veins and is prized by mineral collectors for its high density and associations with other bismuth-bearing species.
Is this bismite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch bismite with a known reference. Bismite sits at Mohs 4.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bismite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Bismite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: greenish yellow, yellow, gray, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: earthy, massive, fibrous, or as crusts and scales.
Often confused with
Bismite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Bismite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5 vs. 3); luster reads adamantine on Bismite and pearly on Bismutite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Bismite leaves white, Bindheimite leaves yellow; luster reads adamantine on Bismite and earthy on Bindheimite.
Often found alongside bismite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bismite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Bi₂O₃
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 8.5-9.2 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Earthy, Massive, Fibrous, Or as Crusts and Scales
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Bismuth-bearing Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find bismite
Classic worldwide localities
- Schneeberg, Germany
- Tsumeb, Namibia
- Guanajuato, Mexico
- Deep River, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of bismuth-bearing ore deposits country — that is the host setting where bismite typically forms. If you start seeing bismuth, bismutite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a earthy, massive, fibrous, or as crusts and scales habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify bismite?+
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How much is bismite worth?+
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What rocks look like bismite?+
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Find bismite on the map
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