Cassiterite (GEMMY!)

Item Description

Bolivia has probably produced more tin than any other country in the world. The great tin mines at Viloco (sometimes called Araca) have produced some of the most magnificent Cassiterite specimens extant. This particular specimen hosts superb quality, sharp, HIGHLY lustrous, GEM!/gemmy cyclic twinned crystal groups of Cassiterite up to 9 mm with GEM Quartz crystals and Siderite on matrix. The piece is in great shape, and virtually all of the crystals are completely damage free. It is a very nice display piece of this material, and most people do not realize that Viloco is the only mine in Bolivia that produces GEM quality Cassiterite, which accounts for about 2-3% of all Cassiterite specimens found at this mine. These classic specimens from Viloco are simply not seen for sale in today's market, and to find associated gem qaulity Quartz crystals is certainly not common either. Valued at $800 in the inventory. A very worthwhile Cassiterite for the quality and specimen size.