Cassiterite

Unknown Owner

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From the standpoint of unusual tin ore localities Toldish, or Tolldish as it is labelled, is one of the more interesting in Cornwall. This small yet dense and nicely crystallized mass of relatively pure Cassiterite comes from the famous collection of Col. Sir William Serjeant (1857-1930) who lived at St. Benet's Abbey, Lanivet. His distinctive octagonal blue-rimmed handwritten labels (used for his British specimens) are highly collectible, and the one attached to this specimen is in excellent condition. Several small cavities around the edges of the specimen are lined with well-formed Cassiterite crystals but for the most part it is finely crystallized tin ore. Toldish is known for an iron mine, but tin ores are not mentioned, making this an interesting piece. Although labelled by Peter Golley as "Toldish Mine" Serjeant's label is less precise as "Tolldish", perhaps indicating that is was not derived from the mine, but from streams nearby? Ex Bruce Grant Collection (no. 1903) and ex Peter Golley Collection.