Cassiterite (gemmy twins)

Viloco mine, Loayza Province, La Paz Department, Bolivia
Thumbnail, 2.5 x 2.4 x 1.3 cm
Start Time: 06/16/2011 6:45:00 pm (CDT)
End Time: 06/23/2011 6:49:41 pm (CDT)
Auction Closed

Item Description

Bolivia has probably produced more tin than any other country in the world. The great tin mines at Viloco (sometimes called Araca) have produced some of the most magnificent Cassiterite specimens extant. This specimen is a great, sharp, lustrous, cyclic twinned crystal group of Cassiterite. When backlit, the specimen shows a rich golden amber hue, which is rarely seen in Cassiterite from any world locality. The piece is in great shape overall. It is a very nice thumbnail sized piece of this material. These classic specimens from Viloco are simply not seen for sale in today's market, and to find gemmy crystals like this is not at all common! Of all the tin mines in Bolivia, Viloco is the only one to produce gem quality Cassiterite crystals.

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