Cassiterite (GEMMY{!} cyclic twins)

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, very sharp, highly lustrous, cyclic twinned crystals of Cassiterite. The color in the Cassiterites ranges from black to a lovely brownish-golden color, but the most attractive aspect is that a section of one of the twins is WATER CLEAR when backlit! Of all the hundreds of tin mines in Bolivia, Viloco is the only one to produce GEM quality Cassiterite, and you actually have a crystal on this piece that is truly transparent!! The piece is in good shape overall on the display side, with only a few small nicks, and it's obviously incomplete on the back where it detached from the pocket wall. The largest twin measures 2.2 cm across, which is very good for the locality. These classic specimens from Viloco are simply not seen for sale in today's market, and to find a GEM crystal like this is certainly rare.