Bismite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Bismite
Formula:
Bi2O3
Colour:
Greyish green, greenish yellow to bright yellow
Lustre:
Sub-Adamantine, Dull, Earthy
Hardness:
4½
Specific Gravity:
8.64 - 9.22
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
For Bismuth in its composition.
Dimorph of:
NOTE: Numerous localities for bismuth oxides have been reported, but modern confirmation is required, as most have proven to be carbonates, etc.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
682
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:682:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
1b87427f-63ad-4be3-b250-083190bb9b34
IMA Classification of Bismite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Bismite
4.CB.60
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
C : Metal: Oxygen = 2: 3,3: 5, and similar
B : With medium-sized cations
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
C : Metal: Oxygen = 2: 3,3: 5, and similar
B : With medium-sized cations
4.3.10.2
4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
3 : A2X3
4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
3 : A2X3
7.13.12
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
13 : Oxides of As, Sb and Bi
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
13 : Oxides of As, Sb and Bi
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Bis | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Bsm | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Bismite
Sub-Adamantine, Dull, Earthy
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Greyish green, greenish yellow to bright yellow
Streak:
Grey to yellow
Hardness:
4½ on Mohs scale
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
8.64 - 9.22 g/cm3 (Measured) 10.4 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Bismite
Type:
Biaxial
RI values:
n = 2.42
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.000
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Dispersion:
High
Chemistry of Bismite
Mindat Formula:
Bi2O3
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Bismite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.851 Å, b = 8.169 Å, c = 7.513 Å
β = 112.94°
β = 112.94°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.716 : 1 : 0.92
Unit Cell V:
330.70 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals microscopic, rare; earthy to powdery, compact granular, massive.
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0011925 | Bismite | Malmros G (1970) The crystal structure of alpha-Bi2O3 Acta Chemica Scandinavica 24 384-396 | 1970 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0016940 | Bismite | Sillen L (1940) Die Kristallstruktur des monoklinen alpha-Bi2 O3 _cod_database_code 1010004 Naturwissenschaften 28 206-207 | 1940 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.232 Å | (10) |
| 2.676 Å | (9) |
| 1.670 Å | (8) |
| 1.640 Å | (8) |
| 1.951 Å | (7.5) |
| 1.740 Å | (7.5) |
| 1.167 Å | (7) |
Comments:
Recorded on material from Colavi, Bolivia
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Bismite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA (No. 97831)
Geological Setting of Type Material:
An oxidation product of bismuth
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Bismite
Other Language Names for Bismite
Dutch:Bismiet
German:Bismit
Wismuthblüthe
Wismuthoxyd
Wismutoxid
Wismuthocker (in part)
Wismuthblüthe
Wismuthoxyd
Wismutoxid
Wismuthocker (in part)
Italian:Bismite
Russian:Бисмит
Simplified Chinese:铋华
Spanish:Bismita
Ukrainian:Бісміт
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 25 photos of Bismite associated with Bismuth | Bi |
| 21 photos of Bismite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 21 photos of Bismite associated with Bismuthinite | Bi2S3 |
| 14 photos of Bismite associated with Pucherite | Bi(VO4) |
| 9 photos of Bismite associated with Bismutite | (BiO)2CO3 |
| 5 photos of Bismite associated with Smoky Quartz | SiO2 |
| 5 photos of Bismite associated with Uraninite | UO2 |
| 4 photos of Bismite associated with Joséite-A | Bi4TeS2 |
| 3 photos of Bismite associated with Arsenic | As |
| 3 photos of Bismite associated with Beyerite | Ca(BiO)2(CO3)2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.CB. | Ferrohögbomite-2N2S | [(Fe2+,Mg,Zn,Al)3(Al,Ti,Fe3+)8O15(OH)]2 |
| 4.CB. | Magnesiohögbomite-6N12S | Mg5Al11TiO23(OH) |
| 4.CB. | Zhenruite | (MoO3)2 · H2O |
| 4.CB. | Pengite | (Pb8Sb3+3)Σ11Sb5+9O35 |
| 4.CB. | Virgilluethite | MoO3 · H2O |
| 4.CB.05 | Brizziite | NaSb5+O3 |
| 4.CB.05 | Corundum | Al2O3 |
| 4.CB.05 | Ecandrewsite | (Zn,Fe2+,Mn2+)TiO3 |
| 4.CB.05 | Eskolaite | Cr2O3 |
| 4.CB.05 | Geikielite | MgTiO3 |
| 4.CB.05 | Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| 4.CB.05 | Ilmenite | Fe2+TiO3 |
| 4.CB.05 | Karelianite | V3+2O3 |
| 4.CB.05 | Melanostibite | Mn2+2Fe3+Sb5+O6 |
| 4.CB.05 | Pyrophanite | Mn2+TiO3 |
| 4.CB.05 | Akimotoite | (Mg,Fe2+)SiO3 |
| 4.CB.05 | Auroantimonate | AuSbO3 |
| 4.CB.05 | UM1998-11-O-AuHSb | Au+2Sb3+O2(OH) |
| 4.CB.05 | Tistarite | Ti3+2O3 |
| 4.CB.05 | Unnamed (Fe-Cr Oxide) | FeCrO3 |
| 4.CB.05 | Hemleyite | (Fe2+0.48Mg0.37Ca0.04Na0.04Mn2+0.03Al0.03Cr3+0.01)sum=1.00Si1.00O3 |
| 4.CB.10 | Avicennite | Tl2O3 |
| 4.CB.10 | Bixbyite-(Mn) | Mn3+2O3 |
| 4.CB.10 | Bixbyite-(Fe) | (Fe,Mn)2O3 |
| 4.CB.15 | Armalcolite | (Mg,Fe2+)Ti2O5 |
| 4.CB.15 | Sassite | Ti3+2Ti4+O5 |
| 4.CB.15 | Pseudobrookite | Fe2TiO5 |
| 4.CB.15 | Ferropseudobrookite | Fe2+Ti2O5 |
| 4.CB.15 | Griffinite | Al2TiO5 |
| 4.CB.15 | Pseudobrookite Group | |
| 4.CB.20 | Zincohögbomite-2N2S | [(Zn,Al,Fe2+)3(Al,Fe3+,Ti)8O15(OH)]2 |
| 4.CB.20 | Zincohögbomite-2N6S | [(Zn,Mg)7(Al,Fe3+,Ti)16O31(OH)]2 |
| 4.CB.20 | Magnesiohögbomite-6N6S | [(Mg,Fe2+)3(Al,Ti,Fe3+)8O15(OH)]6 |
| 4.CB.20 | Magnesiohögbomite-2N3S | [(Mg,Fe2+,Zn)4(Al,Ti,Fe3+)10O19(OH)]2 |
| 4.CB.20 | Magnesiohögbomite-2N2S | [(Mg,Fe2+)3[Al7(Ti,Fe3+)]O15(OH)]2 |
| 4.CB.20 | Ferrohögbomite-6N12S | [(Fe2+,Mg,Zn)5(Al,Ti,Fe3+)12O23(OH)]6 |
| 4.CB.20 | Magnesiohögbomite-2N4S | (Mg8.43Fe2+1.57)sum=10Al22Ti4+2O46(OH)2 |
| 4.CB.20 | Magnesiobeltrandoite-2N3S | (Mg6Al2)(Al18Fe3+2)O38(OH)2 |
| 4.CB.20 | Zincovelesite-6N6S | Zn3(Fe3+,Mn3+,Al,Ti)8O15(OH) |
| 4.CB.25 | Pseudorutile | Fe2Ti3O9 |
| 4.CB.25 | Kleberite | FeTi6O11(OH)5 |
| 4.CB.30 | Berdesinskiite | V3+2TiO5 |
| 4.CB.30 | Oxyvanite | V3+2V4+O5 |
| 4.CB.30 | Kaitianite | Ti3+2Ti4+O5 |
| 4.CB.35 | Olkhonskite | (Cr,V)2Ti3O9 |
| 4.CB.35 | Schreyerite | V3+2Ti3O9 |
| 4.CB.35 | Machiite | Al2Ti3O9 |
| 4.CB.35 | Vestaite | (Ti4+Fe2+)Ti4+3O9 |
| 4.CB.40 | Kamiokite | Fe2Mo3O8 |
| 4.CB.40 | Nolanite | V3+8Fe3+2O14(OH)2 |
| 4.CB.40 | Rinmanite | Zn2Sb2Mg2Fe4O14(OH)2 |
| 4.CB.40 | Iseite | Mn2Mo3O8 |
| 4.CB.40 | Majindeite | Mg2Mo3O8 |
| 4.CB.45 | Claudetite | As2O3 |
| 4.CB.45 | Stibioclaudetite | AsSbO3 |
| 4.CB.50 | Arsenolite | As2O3 |
| 4.CB.50 | Senarmontite | Sb2O3 |
| 4.CB.55 | Valentinite | Sb2O3 |
| 4.CB.65 | Sphaerobismoite | Bi2O3 |
| 4.CB.70 | Sillénite | Bi12SiO20 |
| 4.CB.75 | Kyzylkumite | V3+Ti2O5(OH) |
| 4.CB.80 | Tietaiyangite | Fe3+4Fe2+TiO9 |
| 4.CB.85 | Liuite | FeTiO3 |
| 4.CB.90 | Luogufengite | Fe2O3 |
| 4.CB.95 | Wangdaodeite | FeTiO3 |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Bismite in petrology
An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.
Internet Links for Bismite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-682.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Bismite
Localities for Bismite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina | |
| Márquez-Zavalía et al. (2012) |
Australia | |
| Gilligan et al. (1993) |
| Rankin et al. (2002) |
| Sharpe et al. (2004) |
| Leverett et al. (2005) |
| D.I. Cendón et al. (2005) |
| Ryan (1961) |
| Ryan (1961) | |
| E. Stevens & R. Bottrill |
| Qld Dept of Mines +1 other reference |
| |
| Noble et al. (1983) |
| Brown et al. (1899) |
| Bottrill et al. (2008) |
| Bottrill et al. (2008) |
| |
| Bridge et al. (1974) |
| Hodge (1970) |
| Simpson (1948) |
| Calderwood +2 other references |
Austria | |
| |
| Indra |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) | |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
| Steiner et al. (2020) |
| Auer (2022) |
| Exel (1993) |
Belgium | |
| Jedwab et al. (1982) |
Bolivia | |
| Federico Ahlfeld y Jorge Muñoz Reyes (1955) |
| Hatløy (2013) |
| Franco (2018) |
| Jiménez-Franco et al. (2018) | |
| Jiménez-Franco et al. (2018) | |
| Ahlfeld 1955 |
| Wilson (2001) |
| Salomon Rivas y Federico Ahlfeld (1998) |
| Mineralogical Record: 32: 474. +1 other reference |
Brazil | |
| database and grade and tonnage models: ... +1 other reference |
| database and grade and tonnage models: ... +1 other reference |
| e da Terra (2001) +1 other reference |
Canada | |
| Peatfield (n.d.) |
| Trail +1 other reference |
| Canadian Museum of Nature specimens XRD ... |
China | |
| Huan Hu et al. (2001) |
| Chunlian Xiao (2008) |
| Zhiping Li (1998) |
| Yingchen Ren et al. (1986) |
| Xu Yong (2000) +1 other reference |
| Liangsheng Ge et al. (2006) +1 other reference |
| Chen et al. (1992) |
Czech Republic | |
| Jiří Zachariáš et al. (2014) |
| Journal of Geosciences 54:15-56 +1 other reference |
| Lapis 2002 (7/8) |
| |
| Sejkora et al. (2006) |
| Pauliš P. Nejzajímavější ... |
| Roman Gramblička collection +1 other reference |
| Sejkora (1998) |
DR Congo | |
| |
Egypt | |
| Ali et al. (2021) |
Finland | |
| Ilkka Mikkola collection |
| Ilkka Mikkola collection | |
| Tuisku |
| Hector et al. (2023) |
France | |
| G. Aubert : "Les coupoles granitiques de Montebras et d'Echassières (Massif Central Français) |
| Aubert (1969) |
| |
| P. Devismes : "Atlas photographique des ... |
| Wittern et al. (Cologne) +1 other reference |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| Lheur (2023) |
| GAYRAUD (2010) |
Germany | |
| |
| Walenta (1992) |
| |
| |
| Walenta (1992) | |
| [Lapis 1992 |
| |
| Lapis (2) |
| Habel (2009) |
| Habel (1995) |
| Dill et al. (2009) |
| www.berthold-weber.de (2001) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Belendorff (2021) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Belendorff (2021) |
| Magma 1984 (2) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Dreyer et al. (1981) +1 other reference |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Hajek (2010) |
| Lapis 30 (7/8) |
| Mineralien-Welt (2) |
| www.mineralienatlas.de (2016) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| T. Witzke et al.: Lapis 2001 (12) |
Greece | |
| Voudouris et al. (2008) |
| Solomos et al. (2004) |
| Schnorrer et al. (1999) +1 other reference | |
India | |
| Viladkar |
Iran | |
| Nezafatis (2006) |
Italy | |
| AA. VV. |
| Ghizzoni et al. (2005) |
| Ghizzoni et al. (2005) | |
| Ghizzoni et al. (2005) | |
| Ghizzoni et al. (2005) | |
| Ghizzoni et al. (2005) | |
| Gentile et al. (2023) |
| Ambrino et al. (2009) |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Orlandi et al. (2013) +1 other reference |
| AA. VV. |
| Caboni et al. (2018) |
| Deidda et al. (2021) | |
| Bortolozzi et al. (2013) |
Japan | |
| 浜地忠男 (1961) +1 other reference |
| Harada et al. (2017) |
| Hori Mineralogy |
| Sadanaga et al. (1974) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Chen Xuanhua et al. (2010) |
Madagascar | |
| Besaire (1966) |
| Michel Arliguie collection |
| Behier (1959) |
| Behier (1960) +1 other reference |
| Larsen (2003) | |
| Ungemach (1916) |
| Ranorosoa (1986) |
| Behier (1960) |
| Behier (1957) |
| Ranorosoa (1986) |
| Lacroix (1922) +1 other reference |
Mexico | |
| Panczner (1987) |
Mozambique | |
| Gomes et al. (2022) |
Myanmar | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data |
Namibia | |
| P. Keller and O. von Knorring |
| |
| Jahn et al. (2006) +1 other reference |
| Dunning et al. (1998) |
| von Bezing (2007) |
New Zealand | |
| Lilley |
Norway | |
| Frigstad (1968) +1 other reference |
| Frigstad (1968) +1 other reference |
| Frigstad (1968) | |
| Revheim (2007) |
| Knut Eldjarn Collection |
| Kristiansen (2014) |
Pacific Ocean | |
| Eos Trans. AGU (48) |
| Astakhova (2008, October) |
Poland | |
| Szełęg E. et al. (Dolnośląskie Surowce Skalne S.A.) |
| Szuszkiewicz et al. (2013) | |
| Mochnacka et al. (2009) +1 other reference |
| Domań +2 other references |
| Kozłowski et al. (2018) |
| Mochnacka et al. (2015) +1 other reference |
Romania | |
| www.minerals-of-the carpathians.eu (2009) |
| Szakáll (2002) |
Russia | |
| Potseluev et al. (2006) |
| Michurin et al. (2024) |
| Sidorov +5 other references |
| Tolstykh et al. (2017) | |
| Sandimirova et al. (2014) |
| Alekseev et al. (2015) |
| Voloshin A.V. et al. (1986) |
| Zozulya et al. (2024) |
| Alekseev et al. (2015) |
| Перевозникова et al. (СИХОТЭ-АЛИНЬ) +1 other reference |
| Ivashchenko et al. (2011, September) |
| Ivashchenko et al. (2011, September) | |
| Ivashchenko et al. (2011, September) |
| Ivashchenko et al. (2018, June) |
| Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data (2012) |
Slovakia | |
| Koděra (1986) |
| Števko M. et al. (2012) |
| Koděra (1986) |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
| Malcolm Southwood (2002) | |
Spain | |
| Rewitzer et al. (2018) |
| Joan Rosell (2022) |
| Mata Perelló (1991) |
| M. Ruiz Montes +1 other reference | |
| Romero Silva +3 other references |
| Castillo-Oliver et al. (2019) |
| Ref: Jiménez R. et al. (2004) |
| Tanago et al. (2012) |
| González del Tánago et al. (2002) | |
| Sainz de Baranda Graf et al. (2023) |
| Calvo (2009) |
Sweden | |
| |
| Gatedal (n.d.) |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) +2 other references |
Tajikistan | |
| Ятимов et al. (2019) |
| Novgorodova et al. (1991) +1 other reference |
Uganda | |
| von Knorring (1972) +1 other reference |
UK | |
| Collins (1871) |
| Collins (1871) |
| Collins (1871) |
| Collins (1871) | |
| - (n.d.) |
| Collins (1871) |
| Stanley et al. (1991) |
| Goodchild (1882) +4 other references |
| Rumsey et al. (2005) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| - (2008) |
| Graeme (1993) |
| Graeme (1993) +1 other reference | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Galbraith (1959) +1 other reference |
| Meeves et al. (1966) |
| Meeves et al. (1966) |
| Lindgren (1926) +3 other references |
| Galbraith (1959) |
| Mineralogical Record (1998) |
| Dunning et al. (2005) | |
| Anthony (1997) |
| Jahns et al. (1951) |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 186. +2 other references | |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 186. +2 other references | |
| Foord et al. (1989) +1 other reference |
| Anthony (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Januzzi et al. (1976) |
| Januzzi et al. (1976) | |
| Eric Quinter collection |
| Ralph Lieser of Pappy’s Beryl Shop +4 other references |
| Schooner (1955) |
| Genth | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| |
| Foor et al. (1988) |
| Quillen (2017) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| NMBMMR Bull 83 Mineral Deposits of ... |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Jahns et al. (1977) |
| Dana 6:1076 +1 other reference |
| Roberts et al. (1965) |
| Roberts et al. (1965) |
| Means et al. (1916) +3 other references |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Calkins +2 other references | |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... |
| U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL ... +1 other reference |
Zimbabwe | |
| Brother Juan Salvador collection (New York) |
Quick NavTopAbout BismiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationBismite in petrologyInternet Links References Localities Locality List
San Nicolás Mine, Valle de la Serena, Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain