Stannite with Arsenopyrite and Quartz on Ferberite

Item Description

The famous Yaogangxian Mine is one of the great Chinese mines, producing a surfeit of fine quality, display specimens, often featuring multiple species together. This large greisen tin/tungsten deposit is possibly best known for metallic minerals like Stannite, Arsenopyrite and Ferberite, which are all present on this specimen as it features dark bronzy-colored crystals of Stannite measuring up to 1.1 cm across, which are associated with silvery, highly lustrous metallic crystals of Arsenopyrite measuring up to about 8 mm, along with a few translucent, hexagonal crystals of colorless Quartz, sitting on jet-black bladed Ferberite matrix. Most of the Stannite and Arsenopyrite crystals are in fine condition, and the only real damage is around the periphery of the Ferberite where the piece was removed from the pocket wall. A good-sized, showy example of this classic material that started appearing on the market in the early 2000s. Valued $1,200.
Ex Colin Manlove collection