Stannite on Quartz (superb lustre)

Item Description

This specimen of well-crystallized Stannite from the Yaogangxian mine in Hunan, China features numerous groups of well-defined, brassy-colored Stannite crystals in association with several sharp and very clear Quartz crystals and a sprinkling of white Dolomite and Muscovite Mica. There is a lot of Stannite on this specimen; in fact, half of the matrix is composed of Stannite. It is not quite pristine (just a little damage at the periphery edges of the cluster) but is close to it, and anyways so sparkly its hard to see the few minor breaks anyhow. There is even a Stannite-lined vug on the right side of the piece. The Quartz crystals all have PERFECT TIPS, and some of them even contain Dolomite-covered PHANTOMS in their terminations. They are not as ugly as they look in photos...Also, the specimen SELF-STANDS to display perfectly just as shown in the photos. Not only is this a very rare species, but to find it in such an aesthetic composition with three other well-crystallized minerals is wonderful. The stannite has the brightest luster you can ask for, and crystals to 8mm. A very fine example in this size range, I would not be surprised to see for sale at a show for between $750-1000