Cassiterite and Quartz with Smoky Quartz Phantoms

This attractive display piece features a few sharp lustrous, black cyclic twinned crystals which are associated with unique prismatic Quartz crystals containing rarely seen small Smoky Quartz phantoms. Based upon the presence of the Smoky Quartz phantoms and the sheer three-dimensional appeal, this is a special Cassiterite, and certainly one of the more interesting and eye-catching pieces that I’ve offered. Definitely different from your typical Viloco specimens.

The Viloco Mine (sometimes called Araca) for many years has stood as one of the top Cassiterite localities in the world. This mine is still active today and bears the unique distinction of producing the only GEM quality (facet grade) Cassiterites from any mine in Bolivia. Considering the millions of tons of tin ore that Bolivia has yielded, the fact that only one mine ever produced transparent Cassiterite is remarkable.

Specimen # BOL711B173