Cassiterite (large twins) (ex Franceso Bedogne 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 hosts fine quality, large, very sharp, highly lustrous, cyclic twinned crystals of Cassiterite. The color in the Cassiterites ranges from black to a lively brownish-golden color. The piece is in excellent shape overall, with only a few superficial imperfections and a bit of incomplete growth around the periphery where it was removed from the pocket wall. These classic specimens from Viloco are simply not seen for sale in today's market! Valued at $950 retail. Please note that this specimen was originally labeled as coming from Oruro, but it's undoubtedly from Viloco. From the worldwide collection of famed Italian mineral collector, field collector and author, Francesco Bedogne of Sondrio, Italy (Collection #170). Bedogne wrote dozens of articles and several books about the mineralogy of Italian Alpine localities such as Val Bregaglia, Val Masino, Val Codera, Val Spluga, Valtellina and the famous Val Malenco. He was also the founder of the Valtellinese Mineralogical Institute