Silicon Silicon Carbide crystal
Silicon Carbide crystal.
This is another silicon carbide crystal sold on eBay as bismuth. I'm not sure why people think it's bismuth or sell it as such. The physical properties are really completely different. But anyway, it's a very pretty crystal, man-made no doubt, probably as industrial waste from iron foundry work (silicon carbide forms in iron cupolas in a reaction between coke and silica firebricks). This one is from China and came with a lovely lacquered wood stand.
Source: eBay seller birago123456
Contributor: Theodore Gray
Acquired: 20 February, 2004
Price: $88
Size: 8"
Composition: SiC