This is a picture of a lab-grown Bismuth crystal. They do not occur naturally in nature but under lab conditions, High-purity bismuth can form into distinctive hopper crystals....and are then sold to hobbyist....explanation here; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hopper_crystal and more on the element Bismuth; http://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele083.html
This peice is around 2.5" wide by 1.5" and it is very metallic, like multicolored chrome Both pictures are full frame.
Lab-Grown Bismuth Crystal
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Lab-Grown Bismuth Crystal
Take Nothing but Pictures--Leave Nothing but Footprints.
Doug Breda
Doug Breda
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Interesting! I've never run into this concept before, and I'm intrigued to read in Wikipedia that it has not been investigated very much.
I was also derailed for a while, thinking that the pattern on the white surface was due to light reflecting off the periodic crystal, sort of like caustics on the bottom of a swimming pool. But on closer study, now I think it's actually a pattern woven into fabric, like a tablecloth maybe. Can you tell me for sure?
Thanks for the post!
--Rik
I was also derailed for a while, thinking that the pattern on the white surface was due to light reflecting off the periodic crystal, sort of like caustics on the bottom of a swimming pool. But on closer study, now I think it's actually a pattern woven into fabric, like a tablecloth maybe. Can you tell me for sure?
Thanks for the post!
--Rik
Boy Rik, you really see the fine detail don`t you . We sell these at the store and they come in those white jewelry boxes, so when I took the picture, I sat the subject on the flipped over bottom and used the top for the backdrop. You are seeing the embossing on the box. It sure would look like the reflection from those stair step patterns. Take care.
Doug
Doug
Take Nothing but Pictures--Leave Nothing but Footprints.
Doug Breda
Doug Breda