In early times bismuth was confused with lead. Bismuth can occur as a native element, that is, uncombined with other elements. The pictures you see here are natural crystal of native bismuth obtained from a mineral supply company. Typically it takes this mazelike shape. Bismuth occurs in hydrothermal veins accompanying various ores of cobalt, nickel, silver and tin. It can also occur in topaz bearing quartz veins. Bismuth occurs in Saxony, Bohemia, France, Norway, Sweden, England, South Africa, Madagascar, Bolivia and Australia. In the United States bismuth occurs Connecticut, South Carolina and Colorado. In Canada bismuth occurs in Ontario. Much of the bismuth metal produced in the U.S. is a by-product of refining lead, copper, tin, silver and gold ores. Bismuth is combustible and burns with a blue flame.
USES: A strong permanent magnet can be made of "bismanol", an alloy of bismuth and manganese. Bismuth is used in fire detection and extinguishing systems. Bismuth is also used in producing malleable iron and may be used as a catalyst in producing acrylic fibers. Bismuth is used in thermocouples and atomic reactors. Bismuth salts have been used in cosmetics and medicine.