Cassiterite (GEMMY twinned crystals!) (ex Dr. Stephen Smale Collection)

Item Description

While Cassiterite is not necessarily a rare species, it is exceptionally rare to find GEM QUALITY twinned crystals like this. The specimens from the Amo Mine in China are incredibly similar in habit and quality to the famous old specimens from the Viloco Mine in Bolivia, and are arguably harder to find on the market, mostly because the Amo Mine produced them for a very short time nearly 20 years ago. This small cabinet display specimen hosts several superb quality, sharp, highly lustrous, cyclic twinned crystals of Cassiterite which might appear black on the surface, but with a bit of backlighting reveal superb internal gemminess (virtually WATER CLEAR in areas) with colors ranging from a soft yellow hue to darker golden tones. The largest crystal group measures 1.8 cm across, and they are sitting on tiny Quartz crystals atop the host rock matrix. VERY little damage, only a few tiny "rubs", but the overall quality of the Cassiterite crystals is not only superb for the locality, but for the species worldwide. These specimens have fast disappeared from the market, and if you missed out on them years ago, now is your chance to get your hands on one for a great price! This small and remote deposit has produced the gemmiest Cassiterites of China, but it remains seldom known and specimens very few compared to those from Ping Wu in Sichuan Province - which have another habit entirely. Priced in our inventory at $4,500 retail. Ex Dr. Stephen Smale Collection. Along with amassing one of the finest private mineral collections in the world, Steve is a renowned mathematician. His accomplishments include being awarded the Fields Medal in 1966 along with being the awarded the Wolf Prize in mathematics in 2007. You can read Steve's bio on the Mineralogical Record website ( https://mineralogicalrecord.com/biographies_labels/smalestephen/ ) or on Wikipedia.