Stannite on Quartz with Arsenopyrite

A brilliantly lustrous ball of stepped stannite crystals, flanked by splaying GEM quartzes at its upper edge, makes this a really outstanding stannite specimen OR a really nice Yaogangxian Mine quartz combo, depending on your point of view as a collector. Usually stannites (from here or anywhere) are kind of lumpy and although great for the species, not much to look at overall. THIS ONE is very aesthetic, though; as well as significant for the rare mineral displayed. The flanking quartzes and arsenopyrite to either side simply makes this piece more unique and special than the crowd. The four inch Quartz crystal is literally crystal clear and shows two interior phantoms at the termination. The arsenopyrite is in the form of metallic, tin-white, striated crystals one that measure to 2 cm in length and the largest is doubly terminated. Long held by Dr. Stephen Smale in San Francisco, from his large Chinese collection assembled during the 1990s to present, but this is an older specimen from the early years.

Unknown Owner

Product details

Species

Stannite, Quartz, Arsenopyrite

SizeCabinet

Dimensions10.5 x 7.0 x 6.6 cm

Locality

China, Hunan, Yaogangxian Mine

Added on12/02/2024

Comments

Known provenance

2025/09