Cassiterite (twins) on doubly-terminated Quartz (large specimen)

Item Description

This is the biggest and finest specimen that we've ever hand to offer from this lesser known greisen deposit in Siberia. This piece features a notably large and hefty doubly-terminated slightly “smoky” Quartz crystal group which plays host to several sharp, lustrous, mostly black, well-formed, prismatic tetragonal Cassiterite crystals (some of which have formed “drill bit” twins) which are dotted along the prism of the Quartz. If you’re a Russian mineral collector, or if you appreciate large Quartz / Cassiterite association specimens, don’t miss out on this impressive big museum specimen. Valued $5,500.
From the collection of Richard ("Rich") Kosnar (1946-2007), the well-known mineral dealer and collector from Colorado. He was the namesake for the rare zirconium phosphate mineral, Kosnarite. Rich's catalogue number is painted on the specimen (#Sn/Qtz 895 R), and he acquired this piece from his good friend, Gene Foord, who worked for the USGS in Golden, Colorado. Gene was fortunate enough to travel to Russia in 1992, shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union and brought home a few specimens for Rich. Rock Currier was also part of this trip, and I found a photo of Gene at Stoneflower ( https://www.mindat.org/photo-454636.html ).