Inspiration That Rocks! Style #3! Bismuth!

If you missed "Inspiration That Rocks" Style #2 Opal, you can view the post HERE.

This mineral took my breath way.  I was entranced for 20 minutes staring at the crystalline structure. I see towers in decay, marching columns, collapsing terraces, twisted picture frames, toppling roofs, and winding staircases.  The sample as a whole strongly resembles a city in ruin. The rich colors are translucent, iridescent and metallic. Since it's a photograph, I had difficulty identifying the Mineral. 


BISMUTH

 Every mineral has a unique set of properties that determine it's identity.

1. Color
2. Streak
3. Luster
4. Cleavage
5. Hardness (MOHS Scale)
6. Crystal Structure and Shape
7. Specific Gravity

All very difficult to test without the actual sample. I can't turn the crystals to count the number of faces.  Although the crystals are elongated, and are perhaps twins, again I can't be sure.  I can't guess the molecular weight without at least holding it in my hand. I can't break a piece off or scratch it with various objects to determine the hardness as described by the MOHS Hardness Scale.

Heidi and Andrew (both Geologists) were able to determine that this Mineral is BISMUTH.  However, the crystals in this sample are not naturally occuring in nature.  This particular sample of Bismuth is lab grown. 


HALL OF RECORDS - Downtown Bakersfield CA
Building Blocks Top - by Deletta - Anthro Orig $78 Sale $40 - Aug 2008
Dark Denim Ruched Panel Skirt - by Leifsdottir - Gilt Fuse Orig $150 Sale $64 - Oct 2009
From The Poles Jacket Purple - by Sparrow - Anthro Berkeley Orig $128 Sale $70 Red Tag $52- Dec 2010
Opaque Tights in Green - by Hue - Anthro Orig $12.50 Sale $7 - Feb 2011
Sevilla Heels - by Coclico - Anthro Orig $385 Sale $190 Red Tag $142 - Jan 2010
Meteorology Necklace - Anthro 14K Gold Filled with Smokey QTZ, Amethyst and Prynite, Orig $128, Sale $50 - July 2008

 This outfit would not be possible without the inspiration created by the image of the mineral. The combination would never have occurred to me.  It's also very difficult to relate the inspiration back to my Readers. I pulled this outfit together in an amazing 15 minutes.


Unlike the Opal of last week, this mineral forms cubic picture frame like shapes.  The varying shades of Green, Blue and Purple with a White translucent quality are nicely mimicked in the print of Anthro's Building Blocks Top by Deletta.

Anthro's Building Blocks Top Print

Unknown Mineral

Another characteristic that inspired me was the Iridescent Blues in the Mineral. Denim would be a perfect answer.  Even better is Leifsdottir's Dark Denim Ruched Panel Skirt. In addition, the ruched panel on the skirt front directly translates to the stacked, elongated crystals that form rows of columns or stairs depending on which direction the crystals are oriented.

The same column like behavior is seen again in the vertical piping on Anthro's From The Poles Jacket by Sparrow. See me wear this Jacket differently HERE. Honestly, I would have never in a Million Eons thought up this combination.  I was amazed that I could transfer these characteristics directly over to styling an outfit.  And it took no more than 30 minutes of effort. 




Building Blocks Top - by De - Anthro Orig $78 Sale $40 - Aug 2008
Dark Denim Ruched Panel Skirt - by Leifsdottir - Gilt Fuse Orig $150 Sale $64 - Oct 2009
From The Poles Jacket Purple - by Sparrow - Anthro Berkeley Orig $128 Sale $70 Red Tag $52- Dec 2010
Opaque Tights in Green - by Hue - Anthro Orig $12.50 Sale $7 - Feb 2011
Sevilla Heels - by Coclico - Anthro Orig $385 Sale $190 Red Tag $142 - Jan 2010
Meteorology Necklace - Anthro 14K Gold Filled with Smokey QTZ, Amethyst and Prynite, Orig $128, Sale $50 - July 2008

The Belt is another leftover pre-Anthro piece from Kohl's that served to add a tiny bit of sparkle and shine.

 

 

 

Dark Denim Ruched Panel Skirt - by Leifsdottir - Gilt Fuse Orig $150 Sale $64 - Oct 2009

Opaque Tights in Green - by Hue - Anthro Orig $12.50 Sale $7 - Feb 2011

Sevilla Heels - by Coclico - Anthro Orig $385 Sale $190 Red Tag $142 - Jan 2010

Nothing like this gorgeous Purple pair of  Seville Heels by Coclico with staircase like ruching right down the front. I had just received the Opaque Tights in Green by Hue the same day, and planned to use them for something entirely different that fell through.  Perfect timing. Olive Green, Navy and Purple are such a marvelous color combination.

You can see a slightly better view of Anthro's Meteorology Necklace made from Smokey QTZ, Purple Amethyst and Lime Green Prynite.

Dear Readers,
Can you spot some of the visual characteristics of the Mineral Bismuth that I attempted to capture in my photos.

Hints:  For example, the Green Light Pole next to the Yellow Bicycle resembles the columns formed by the elongated crystals. 

Please send me more Rock and Mineral Photos.   See the Guidelines for Submission, outfit post dates and Giveaway at the bottom of the Post HERE.

Anthro Sister Love, Laura (lauramartinsemail)@yahoo.com