Bismuth Crystal

Bismuth crystal looks like someone builds a tiny staircase, then gives it a metallic rainbow paint job. The color actually comes from a surface oxide layer, not paint, which makes this little desk specimen more interesting than another shiny paperweight. At approximately one square inch, it gives you a lot to stare at without claiming much space.

The crystal forms in a laboratory: bismuth is heated until molten, then allowed to cool into its intricate geometric shape. That combination of orderly edges and shifting-looking color is the whole appeal. We like it as a small display piece for someone who enjoys knowing how things form, not just how they look.

This is a good gift for a rockhound, a science-minded friend, or the person whose desk already resembles a miniature museum. The rainbow gets your attention; the elaborate structure gives you a reason to keep looking.