Cassiterite ex along with the Quartz crystals

along with the Quartz crystals

Better quality than the photos indicate

crystallized specimens of Valentinite are few and far between on the market

I acquired just a few of these specimens in 2011 and I honestly thought them to be a common and unassuming associated species i

I have photographed the crystals under the microscope to show that they are truly terminated crystals and not just a blue mass

Cassiterite ex along with the Quartz crystalsThis locality 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. Several great, sharp, semi lustrous, beautiful, well formed black and brown cyclic twinned crystals make for an appealing display piece. A slight brown color can be seen when