J14-25
Cassiterite on Apatite
Mt Xuebaoding, Pingwu Co., Mianyang Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China
Miniature, 4.0 x 3.4 x 2.8 cm
SOLD
Two lustrous and translucent, purplish-pink apatite crystals, to 2 cm in length, form the unusual matrix for incredibly sharp, doubly-terminated, twinned, splendent, black cassiterite crystals to 3.4 cm in length. There is very minor contact (where they grew against mica, perhaps) on one side of the cassiterite crystals and the apatite crystals. The display view is pristine, though, and the piece overall is simply mesmerizing and beautiful. A rare association, perhaps the only such direct contact between these two species here that I can recall.