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3.9" Gemmy Cassiterite Crystal Cluster - Viloco Mine, Bolivia
This is an alluring, 3.9" wide association of gemmy, black-brown cassiterite crystals, pyrite, bladed siderite, quartz and tourmaline crystals. It comes from the Viloco (Araca) Mine in the La Paz Department of Bolivia, a site renown for its high quality cassiterite specimens. The tourmaline crystals are extremely small and can be found across the underside of the specimen, or mixed in with the microscopic pyrite crystal aggregates.
It comes with an acrylic display stand.
It comes with an acrylic display stand.
The Viloco Mine (also referred to as Araca Mine) is a tin mine in the La Paz Department of Bolivia that produces high quality mineral specimens, most notably cassiterite. It is the only mine in Bolivia that produces transparent, gem quality cassiterite for faceting. These cassiterite crystals are commonly found in peribatholithic cassiterite veins.
Cassiterite, also known as tinstone, is the primary ore of tin. When pure, cassiterite will be colorless, but in most cases impurities will result in brown or black crystals. It is typically found in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites in regions of granite intrusion. In the appropriate environment, it can also precipitate from volcanic gas.
Chemical Formula: SnO2 (tin oxide)
Cassiterite, also known as tinstone, is the primary ore of tin. When pure, cassiterite will be colorless, but in most cases impurities will result in brown or black crystals. It is typically found in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites in regions of granite intrusion. In the appropriate environment, it can also precipitate from volcanic gas.
Chemical Formula: SnO2 (tin oxide)
SPECIES
Cassiterite, Siderite, Pyrite, Tourmaline & Quartz
LOCATION
Viloco (Araca) Mine, Loayza Province, La Paz Department, Bolivia
SIZE
Entire specimen: 3.9 x 2.6", largest cassiterite crystal: .95" wide
CATEGORY
ITEM
#192180
