Cassiterites are not just beautiful pieces of jewelry, they are also symbols of rarity and uniqueness.
The Mystery of Cassiterite Gemstones
Cassiterite is a rare and striking gemstone. Cassiterite, also known as SnO₂, remains the primary source of tin. This mineral has a tetragonal crystalline structure, with tin ions at the corners and center of each unit cell, as well as oxygen ions.
Sri Lanka is one of the few countries in the world that recognises Cassiterite as one of its rarest gems and the red version of it ranks as one of the most expensive stones in the world. This stone provides a vivid, warm light in any setting even in the pitch black environment hence it’s highly valued among collectors. Just like crossbreeding is usual in Asian and African countries, finding good quality Cassiterite gemstone is a dream.
Distinguishing Features
Cassiterite can be identified by its specific gravity and a range of colors, including:
Shining black
Brownish-black
Golden black
Orange black
Reddish brown
White
Rarely colorless
In terms of appearance, the mineral hetaerolite is tough, thin, usually translucent, and can have a pearly or metallic or greasy luster, with white to brown streaks. The crystals are tetragonal in its system and the specimens exhibit a high degree of twinning. The specific gravity range of Cassiterite on average is about 7. 0 while the gemstone variety can have a specific gravity of up to 9 and this makes it comparativly heavy among other gemstones.
The Allure of Cassiterite
Cassiterite’s dispersion of nearly twice that of diamond makes it a prize in the eyes of any collector. However, since it is relatively unknown by the consumers and scarce, it is often seen as a collector’s item rather than jewelry.
To sum up, it is possible to state that Cassiterite is not only an unusual and original gemstone but also the one which carries certain scientific interest as well as impresses with its beauty. It is rare and particularly the red one, and due to its interesting characteristics of properties, it attracts the attention of both the gemologists as well as collectors.
Unique Properties
Refractive Index: 2. 0 to 2. 10
Hardness: 6. The least invasive was the level 5 according to the Mohs scale.
Common Locations: Observed across a number of regions through Asia and Africa although prevalent in Sri Lanka.
