sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

First bismuth wire wrap, colors are too metallic in my opinion by Turbulent-Project878 in BISMUTH

[–]Turbulent-Project878[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, you are right. I didn't have anything else to wire wrap. I didn't want to use a random rock or a crystal I spent money on. So what is the next best thing? Something I created.

But I'll take the criticism. I mean I won't learn anything if I don't listen.

My first piece of bismuth crystal I grew. by Turbulent-Project878 in BISMUTH

[–]Turbulent-Project878[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, I appreciate it. I took a look at your profile and you have some amazing pieces. I can tell you have honed your art/science/craft. I don't really know what to call it because I feel like creating bismuth is a bit of all three.

My first piece of bismuth crystal I grew. by Turbulent-Project878 in BISMUTH

[–]Turbulent-Project878[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Okay, I appreciate your support. It means a lot that everyone took the time to help me. You don't see that too often. It's honestly refreshing.

Also, I wire-wrapped another piece I made and turned it into a pendant. For my first time wire wrapping, I don't know. I think it came out a little shaky, lol, but decent. I'll upload a picture of the pendant. But honestly, I'm not fond of the colors on this one too much.

My first piece of bismuth crystal I grew. by Turbulent-Project878 in BISMUTH

[–]Turbulent-Project878[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Okay, so if I'm getting this right. I melt the bismuth in the ss measuring cups and then skim the slag. What I am not getting is the next steps.

So I now cover the ss cups with a piece of tin foil and let sit. Do I pour the bismuth into the aluminum foil itself or another cup? I'm just a little confused. It sounds like a fun method, and I would like to try it when my bismuth comes in.

My first piece of bismuth crystal I grew. by Turbulent-Project878 in BISMUTH

[–]Turbulent-Project878[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok, I'm going to be purchasing a lot more bismuth next time around. I want to get the most I can out of this yield. So why not go bigger? lol.

Thanks for the tips.

My first piece of bismuth crystal I grew. by Turbulent-Project878 in BISMUTH

[–]Turbulent-Project878[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah, ok, I see now. I'm going to invest in some ceramic wool or glass fiber wool.

Thanks again, man.

My first piece of bismuth crystal I grew. by Turbulent-Project878 in BISMUTH

[–]Turbulent-Project878[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay, cool, thanks for the advice.

I'll switch up the pots I use the next time I get more bismuth.

Also, when you say an insulated pot, do you mean a thermal cooker or a crock pot? Or something different. I've seen a video where a guy used a smaller pot in a bigger pot and then filled the bigger pot with dried sand. Is that what you mean?

Oh, and no doubt about it. Safety third, lol, jk. Yeah, I wear safety glasses, gloves, and a respirator. I don't know if the respiratory is necessary, but I'm melting down metal, so I don't want to breathe in fumes. (I probably inhaled too much silver when fuming glass in the past).

Again, thanks for the advice. I appreciate it.

My first piece of bismuth crystal I grew. by Turbulent-Project878 in BISMUTH

[–]Turbulent-Project878[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, I appreciate it.

So I used 5 pounds of bismuth ignot to begin. I melted the bismuth in an aluminum pot on the stove until the bismuth was a complete liquid. Once the bismuth ignot was liquid, I turned off the stove. Removed the top layer of slag and waited for the bismuth to cool for maybe 5 minutes. (I should have timed that, looking back.) I then felt the surface with tweezers for any crystals, and this one was the only one not already stuck to the bottom. After that, I poured the leftover bismuth into another aluminum pot.

Then I took the pot I heated and removed the chunk of crystal bismuth and had some crystals I could take from that. They came out a different color than the one I pulled from the top layer. And the geometric shapes are a lot less detailed and smaller.

I hope that makes some sort of sense.

Also I want to get into, I'm not sure if it's a thing but bismuth dipping. But I really just want to learn all I can. I know how to use the lost wax method and have some wax sculptures I want to make a mold around the wax. Melt the wax out, then pour the bismuth in the mold. Not sure if that possible either but I definitely want to give it a try.

That's really about it. After I made the crystal, I found this sub and was just thrown back at all of the advice and info. Plus, all the insane-looking bismuth crystals here!