Cassiterite

Viloco (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.

This piece is a superb, highly lustrous, sharp, eye-catching, jet-black cyclic twinned crystal group with unusual crystallization for the locality. The main twin is strangely elongated and/or compressed and really stands out amongst so many I have seen. Good condition, and certainly different from the typical Cassiterites from Viloco. If you’re a Cassiterite collector, or a Bolivian mineral collector, be sure to pick up this one.

Specimen # BOL711B177