Cassiterite from Horní Slavkov, Karlovy Vary Region, Czech Republic

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This very large twinned Cassiterite crystal is from one of Europe's classic tin-mining regions - Horní Slavkov (Schlaggenwald), Bohemia, Czech Republic. The crystal is not complete - showing major indentations on two sides where it was formerly attached to matrix - but at 5.1 cm across is enormous for a European Cassiterite. The classic feature of Cassiterite twinning - a groove like an open bird's mouth - is nicely developed on the top of the specimen and it sits nicely for display without additional support. The Cassiterite has a very fine resinous lustre and has a hefty feel to it, being pure Cassiterite (tin oxide). Some slight abrasion is to be seen on the crystal edges and minor chipping around the termination, but at the right angle this remarkably large Cassiterite crystal displays extremely well. Ex David Hardman collection, no. 725.