Xuebaoding, Pingwu, China

Cassiterite on Muscovite Mica, Xuebaoding, Sichuan, China

SKU · oe308
$230.00
Free worldwide shipping over $38

Jet-black cassiterite crystals nested in straw-coloured muscovite rosettes from Xuebaoding, Sichuan — the classic contrast of the locality, here with the black cluster set into a hollow at the centre. 6.6 × 4.1 × 3.8 cm, 165 g.

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Authenticity guaranteed
Hand-examined + numbered
Worldwide shipping
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Acrylic base included
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Specimen details

MineralCassiterite
LocalityXuebaoding, Pingwu, China
Crystal systemTetragonal
Chemical formulaSnO2
Dimensions6.6 cm × 4.1 cm × 3.8 cm
Weight165 g
ColorBlack
SizeSmall Cabinet (2–4 inches / 5–10 cm)
SpeciesScheelite
ConditionNo damage on display faces

Tags

cassiterite specimencollector's itemrare mineralmineral specimengeologicalChinagemstonesunique mineralxuebaodingUnder $250Cassiteritemineralogy

About this specimen

Jet-black cassiterite crystals occupy a nest of straw-coloured mica, their faces bright enough to throw the light back like polished anthracite. The muscovite fans out around them in overlapping books and rosettes, champagne through pale tan, closing over the black cluster as though the mica had grown up around it.

Xuebaoding in Sichuan is the locality behind cassiterite of this kind: tin-rich fluids moved through altered granite and dropped SnO2 into cavities already lined with mica. Cassiterite is heavy for its size, specific gravity near 7, and hard at Mohs 6–7, so the crystals themselves are robust — but muscovite splits into sheets under pressure, and the mica is what suffers if the piece is handled roughly.

Overall 6.6 × 4.1 × 3.8 cm, 165 g, supplied without a stand. The images record this specimen exactly as it will be packed.

About Cassiterite

Cassiterite is an oxide mineral prized by collectors for its exceptional color range, with several world-class Chinese localities.

Learn more about Cassiterite in our encyclopedia

About Xuebaoding, Pingwu

Xuebaoding (Mount Little Xuebaoding), Huya Township, Pingwu County, Mianyang, Sichuan, China — source of cassiterite, scheelite, and beryl on muscovite matrix.

More specimens from this locality

Frequently asked questions

Will I receive the exact specimen shown?

Yes. Every specimen is a single, one-of-a-kind piece, and the photographs show the exact item you will receive — never a stock photo.

Is this Cassiterite natural?

Yes — specimens like this form naturally. As is standard in the trade, some pieces are gently cleaned or trimmed; we photograph the actual specimen and describe its origin and condition conservatively.

How is it packed and shipped?

Orders ship worldwide with fully insured, tracked delivery, carefully packed to protect fragile crystals. A display base is included.

Can I return it?

Yes — there is a 14-day return window.

What collectors say

★★★★★4.97· Verified reviews
Cassiterite on Muscovite Mica, Xuebaoding, Sichuan, China
Cassiterite on Muscovite Mica, Xuebaoding, Sichuan, China
$230.00