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Cassiterite
Cassiterite - Mineral Properties and Uses |
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What is Cassiterite? |
Cassiterite is a tin oxide mineral that is found in vein deposits, granitic rocks, pegmatites, areas of contact metamorphism and the altered zone of ore deposits. It is also found in placer deposits where it is most commonly mined and given the name of "stream tin". It is the most widely mined ore of tin. |
Uses |
Cassiterite is the principle ore of tin. In the past, much of the tin was used to produce "tin cans" (actually steel plated with tin) for food containers. However, this use is being rapidly replaced by containers made of glass, plastic, paper, aluminum and other materials. Small amounts are also used to produce solder and polishing compounds. |
Color |
brown, black, reddish brown, brownish black |
Streak |
colorless |
Luster |
adamantine, splendent to submetallic |
Diaphaneity |
opaque to translucent |
Cleavage |
imperfect |
Hardness |
6.0 - 7 |
Specific Gravity |
6.8 - 7.1 |
Distinguishing
Characteristics |
high specific gravity, luster, streak, fibrous appearance |
Crystal System |
tetragonal |
Chemical Classification |
oxide |
Chemical Composition |
tin oxide , SnO2 |
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Cassiterite sand from Plateau State, Nigeria, Africa. Placer-mined tin is often called "stream tin".
Silt- to sand-size particles of cassiterite..
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Cassiterite from near Keystone, South Dakota.
Specimen is approximately 4 inches (10 centimeters) across.
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Particles of cassiterite from a placer deposit near Tinton, South Dakota.
Specimens are approximately 1/8 inch to 3/8 inch (.3 centimeter to .95 centimeter) across.
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Mineral photographs that appear on this page with a Geology.com copyright mark are property of Geology.com and may not be used beyond our website. If you like these photos and would like to share them with others please link to this page or email its URL. The photos were taken and composed by Ann Bryant.
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