Cassiterite (var. 'wood tin') ex. Univ Arizona

Item Description

A nifty 3-piece deal of sculptural "wood tin" nuggets and fragments from an obscure locale in Bolivia. The lustrous, large plate looks like reptile hide on the banded body. One is an artistic, tan botryoid with a point and the small plate is slightly rounded from stream erosion. Cassiterite of this botryoidal style is uncommon today, though came from a few historic localities in the past. It was great for smelting, and so much of it was indeed, melted down. Ex. University of Arizona Mineral Museum collection, ex Russell Honea donation (1979). This is the last three of a seven piece lot.