Cassiterite

LOCATION:

Virgem da Lapa, Jequitinhonha valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil

DESCRIPTION:

This rare pegmatitic Cassiterite from Brazil consists of many lustrous, nearly-metallic-looking, jet black crystals to 11 mm across. These Cassiterites are pristine, undamaged, and many of the crystals are twinned. Cassiterites of pegmatite origin are not common. This is a from a small 1960s find in Brazil by Ed Swoboda. It was held back by Ed for nearly 20 years, when I purchased it in the early 1990s for my personal collection. These are never seen on the market.

SIZE: 18 x 17 x 10 mm overall (Thumbnail)

COLLECTION: ex. Ed Swoboda specimen