Cassiterite (twinned crystals) on Muscovite (ex Dr. Stephen Smale Collection)

Item Description

The specimens from Pingwu are some of the most unique and attractive pieces from any Chinese locality. Some of the most distinctive specimens of Cassiterite have come from this locality. This particular piece features a group of sharp, lustrous, jet-black twinned crystals of Cassiterite measuring 1.4 cm across which are sitting atop a crystallized matrix of compressed, bladed, silvery Muscovite. The quality is very good all around, with no major damage that I can find with the naked eye. A great quality association specimen from this unique locality. Priced at $850. Ex Dr. Stephen 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.