Cassiterite (rare locality)

Item Description

This is a significant locality specimen for cassiterite, with multiple crystals to an inch on edge forming a heavy "tower" of intergrown, stunning jet black crystals with high luster. The sharp edges and style is unique, almost, to alpine cassiterites - which are also far more rare than cassiterite from large metallic deposits such as Dalnegorsk, Yaogangxian, or Bolivia. Alpine-type cassiterites like this, formed in pegmatites aside gem crystals, are seldom seen in collector quality and never in quantity. They are a rarity, though the species itself may be common from other places. This is complete all around, and a notable specimen from the Pakistani suite of the Meieran collection. 175 grams. We have seen examples not as good priced at shows, easily over $1000.