Cassiterite (good thumbnail) (ex Rich Kosnar Collection)

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 consists of excellent, sharp, lustrous, cyclic well-formed cyclic twinned crystals of Cassiterite that range in color from black to a rich golden-honey hue, to nearly colorless. The piece is associated with that most classic and highly desirable combination of Quartz and Siderite matrix forming a nice miniature sized specimen. Good Cassiterite with Quartz and Siderite from Viloco are the most prized in my experience with this material. This is an attractive piece and adimrable from the standpoint of quality, luster and associations. The piece is in good shape overall on the display side, with and would make a nice addition to any Bolivian suite or reference miniature collection. From the collection of noted mineral dealer Richard A. Kosnar (Kosnarite) whose catalogue number of 244 can be seen on the reverse side of the piece.