Cassiterite with Topaz (2017 find)

Item Description

Recently there was a very small discovery of Cassiterite crystals at Shengus that were similar to pieces that came out 20 years ago, and really haven't been seen since. Most of these specimens are singles or clusters and formed in near "floater" specimens with attractive, sharp, lustrous striated crystals that resemble pagodas or flying saucers or boats. They have a very high "wet" luster with beautiful overall crystal form. The largest crystal on this piece meausres 1.6 cm. If you look closely, you will see small, gemmy, prismatic crystals of Topaz (measuring up to 3 mm), which we've rarely seen with this material. They really don't look like Cassiterites that I've seen from any locality, but they have the look of classic pegmatitic Cassiterites. They sort of resemble the pegmatite Cassiterites from Linopolis, Brazil, but they're still distinctly different. This piece is mostly complete on the front, but there is a point of attachment on the base. Great crystal quality. It has an attractive "stacked" or layered growth with that fantastic luster I mentioned earlier and pure jet black opacity. It almost resembles a piece of glistening black obsidian my mind. A great specimen of this elusive material. If you collect Cassiterites, black minerals or minerals of Pakistan, this is cool piece to add to your collection.