Bismuth glance is a mineral species that consists of bismuth sulfide. Its chemical formula is Bi2S3. The term "glance" is used to describe any ore or mineral that has a bright, metallic appearance. The word "bismuth" is spelled using the IPA phonetic transcription as /ˈbɪzməθ/. The "b" is pronounced as "b", the "i" is pronounced as "ɪ", "s" is pronounced as "s", "m" is pronounced as "m", "u" is pronounced as "ə", "t" is pronounced as "θ" and "h" is pronounced as "h".
Bismuth glance, also known as bismuthinite, is a mineral compound composed primarily of bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3). It is a metallic mineral that typically occurs in hydrothermal veins or as an alteration product in sulfide mineral deposits. Its name originates from its shiny appearance, similar to the luster of a metallic ore when it is freshly exposed.
Bismuth glance is characterized by its dense and opaque nature, with a color ranging from lead-gray to tin-white. It possesses a distinct metallic luster and a high specific gravity, making it relatively easy to distinguish from other sulfide minerals. It commonly forms prismatic or tabular crystals, but it can also occur in massive or granular forms.
This mineral has been used as an important source of bismuth, which is a relatively rare element with various industrial applications. Bismuth itself has low thermal and electrical conductivity, but it possesses unique properties such as high diamagnetic behavior, low toxicity, and the ability to expand upon solidification. These qualities make bismuth useful in various alloys, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and specialized industrial applications like fusible alloys and fire detection systems.
It is worth noting that bismuth glance is typically associated with other sulfide minerals such as pyrite, sphalerite, or galena. As a result, its occurrence is often a sign of hydrothermal mineralization and can contribute valuable information to geologists in understanding the formation of ore deposits.
The word "bismuth glance" originates from the combination of "bismuth" and "glance", both of which have distinct etymologies:
1. Bismuth: The term "bismuth" comes from the German word "Wismut", which was derived from the Old High German "wisemūt", meaning "white lead". It is believed that the "wis" part comes from "wei", meaning "white", while "mūt" means "lead".
2. Glance: In mineralogy, the term "glance" refers to ores or minerals that have a shiny or metallic appearance. The word "glance" comes from the Old English word "glæns", which means "bright or shining".