Cassiterite with Quartz

A tremendous small miniature of highly reflective, lustrous Cassiterite crystals covering a Quartz-Cassiterite matrix. With acicular Quartz crystals protruding out from the Cassiterite, this specimen is most representative sample from the Tryphena Lode at Wheal Pendarves by Killivose, due south of Camborne in Cornwall, England. The Cassiterite from Pendarves tends always to have a brilliant metallic lustre and is known as “Diamond Tin”. On this specimen the Cassiterite crystals average 5 to 8 mm wide and form a tight and compact mass of glittering prism faces.