Cassiterite

Unknown Owner

The Ririwai mines near Doguwa, midway between Kano and Jos in Nigeria were famous tin mines, but closed in 1984. Well-crystallized specimens are rarely seen available, other than when older collections get recycled which is exactly the case here. Not only is this miniature specimen extremely well crystallized - as very sharp, glossy twinned crystals, but they are extremely large for this occurrence too, with the crystals reaching 2.8 cm across. Ex Martin Kershaw Collection, no. 560 and accompanied by his type card index style label documenting it as from Liruie - N - Kano - Northern Nigeria.