Table of Contents
- 1 Is cassiterite a precious gem?
- 2 Is cassiterite rare or common?
- 3 How do you get cassiterite?
- 4 What is cassiterite used to make?
- 5 How much tin is in a cassiterite?
- 6 What does cassiterite look like?
- 7 Where can cassiterite be found in Nigeria?
- 8 What is cassiterite used for in phones?
- 9 What is cassiterite made out of?
- 10 Is cassiterite opaque or opaque?
- 11 Where is cassiterite found in the Congo?
Is cassiterite a precious gem?
Cassiterite is composed of tin oxide and is the primary ore for tin. In fact, it is also known as ‘the tin stone’. In addition to its important industrial use, it has some interesting properties that make high-quality crystals valuable gemstones. Cassiterite specimens are also very popular with mineral collectors.
Is cassiterite rare or common?
Cassiterite gem: Cassiterite is extremely rare as a transparent, gem-quality mineral. This 9 x 11 step cushion cut gem has a rich brown color and adamantine luster.
Why is cassiterite so important?
Cassiterite has been mined throughout ancient history and remains the most important source of tin today. Cassiterite is an economically important mineral, being the primary ore of the metal tin. It is also used as a collectors mineral with the transparent forms being highly desired.
How do you get cassiterite?
Obtaining
- Cassiterite spawns as small rocks on the surface, indicating a vein somewhere below.
- Cassiterite veins are medium in size and can be found in igneous intrusive layers of stone:
- Cassiterite veins can also be found in the top half of the top layer of stone.
What is cassiterite used to make?
Cassiterite contains 78.6\% Sn and are the principle tin ore throughout ancient history and remains the primary source of tin metal, used as plates, cans, containers, solders, and polishing compounds and alloys.
What country is cassiterite from?
Most sources of cassiterite today are found in alluvial or placer deposits containing the resistant weathered grains. The best sources of primary cassiterite are found in the tin mines of Bolivia, where it is found in crystallised hydrothermal veins. Rwanda has a nascent cassiterite mining industry.
How much tin is in a cassiterite?
What does cassiterite look like?
Cassiterite is a tin oxide mineral, SnO2. It is generally opaque, but it is translucent in thin crystals. Its luster and multiple crystal faces produce a desirable gem….
| Cassiterite | |
|---|---|
| Streak | White to brownish |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent when light colored, dark material nearly opaque; commonly zoned |
| Specific gravity | 6.98–7.1 |
Where is cassiterite most commonly found?
Where can cassiterite be found in Nigeria?
Plateau State
Cassiterite ore was sourced from Dogo-Na-Hawa, in Bukuru, Jos South Local Government of Plateau State, Nigeria. The ore was analyzed as mined and its various constituents noted.
What is cassiterite used for in phones?
Tin (produced from cassiterite) – used inside your cell phone and all electronic products as a solder on circuit boards. The biggest use of tin worldwide is in electronic products. Tantalum (produced from “coltan”) – used to store electricity in capacitors in iPods, digital cameras, and cell phones.
How is cassiterite mined?
The best sources of primary cassiterite are found in the tin mines of Bolivia, where it is found in hydrothermal veins. Hydraulic mining methods are used to concentrate mined ore, a process which relies on the high specific gravity of the SnO2 ore, of about 7.0.
What is cassiterite made out of?
Cassiterite. Cassiterite is a tin oxide mineral, SnO2. It is generally opaque, but it is translucent in thin crystals. Its luster and multiple crystal faces produce a desirable gem. Cassiterite has been the chief tin ore throughout ancient history and remains the most important source of tin today.
Is cassiterite opaque or opaque?
It is generally opaque, but it is translucent in thin crystals. Its luster and multiple crystal faces produce a desirable gem. Cassiterite has been the chief tin ore throughout ancient history and remains the most important source of tin today.
Are faceted cassiterites good for jewelry?
With a dispersion or fire almost twice that of diamond as well as vitreous to adamantine luster, transparency, and a hardness of 6-7, faceted cassiterites would make good jewelry stones. However, the combination of rarity and little consumer awareness means you’ll more likely find these for sale as collector’s specimens.
Where is cassiterite found in the Congo?
The best sources of primary cassiterite are found in the tin mines of Bolivia, where it is found in hydrothermal veins. Rwanda has a nascent cassiterite mining industry. Fighting over cassiterite deposits (particularly in Walikale) is a major cause of the conflict waged in eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.