A method of making an oxide compound, comprising subjecting a base material to a source of heat that produces a localized temperature in the range of 2,000 to 5,500 degrees Celsius that vaporizes the base material which is drawn upward above the surface of the base material where it oxidizes, after which the resulting oxide compound is collected. A method of making bismuth trioxide, comprising providing an electric arc between electrodes, wherein elemental bismuth is in touching proximity to one of the electrodes. The bismuth is evaporated, drawn upward off the surface of the molten metal, forms the bismuth oxide on contact with oxygen, and the particles of bismuth oxide are collected. A method of making an oxide using an electric arc to evaporate a base material which then reacts with oxygen, and collecting the resulting oxides of base material.