Cassiterite (superb gemmy twins) on Quartz

Amo Sn deposit, Ximeng Co., Pu'er, Yunnan, Chinai
Small Cabinet, 8.8 x 6.0 x 5.3 cm
Start Time: 12/12/2019 6:30:00 pm (CST)
End Time: 12/19/2019 6:30:00 pm (CST)
Auction Closed

Item Description

At first glance, this one threw me, as I thought for sure it was from Bolivia. It just screams of the old classic Viloco specimens, but it is in fact (confirmed by a few soucres) from the Amo Sn deposit in Yunnan, China. Honestly (like a lot of what is coming out of China in the last 20 years), the quality is superior to the vast majority of Viloco specimens due to the fact that the crystals are sharper, more lustrous AND GEMMY to boot! These fine quality twinned Cassiterites measure up to 1.7 cm across and show a range of colors from straw yellow to golden to brownish-black to virtually opaque black. With good backlighting, you can see the beautiful internal mix of colors. I think I'm most impressed by the glistening luster on the notably smooth faces of every Cassiterite crystal. The underlying gemmy, colorless Quartz crystals make for the perfect setting for these superb quality Cassiterite twins. I can't find any major damage, and I had to pull out a loupe to see only a few TINY nicks that do not take away from the overall quality of the piece. We were able to take some good photos, but I still feel like the piece looks better in person. If you collect fine quality display specimens, minerals of China or worldwide Cassiterites, do not miss out on this fantastic and showy example of this fairly hard to find material. Valued in the inventory at $3,800.

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