Stannite with Quartz (ex Dr. Stephen Smale Collection)

Item Description

A fine sharp, lustrous, bronze colored crystal group of Stannite measuring 3.4 cm across is associated with sharp, gemmy, prismatic crystals of white to colorless Quartz from the Yaogangxian Mine. Stannite is a rare sulfide of copper, iron and tin and good crystallized specimens are certainly hard to find, especially with robust crystals like this piece. Most specimens of Stannite or not terribly showy from any location, and when you find a specimen that is actually aesthetic like this one, it's a big deal. Classic material and very hard to find on the market now. No real damage, outside of the exterior edges where it was removed from the pocket wall. Valued at $1,200. Ex Dr. Steven Smale Collection. Along with amassing one of the finest private mineral collections in the world, Steve is a renowned mathematician. His accomplishments include being awarded the Fields Medal in 1966 along with being the awarded the Wolf Prize in mathematics in 2007. You can read Steve's bio on the Mineralogical Record website ( https://mineralogicalrecord.com/labels.asp?colid=671&page=1 ) or on Wikipedia.