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Cassiterite
Cassiterite is a popular mineral composed of tin oxide. [1]
Cassiterite: Quick Facts and Characteristics
Some quick facts for Cassiterite:- Transparency: Cassiterite can be opaque, translucent or transparent.
- Crystallography: In terms of crystallography, cassiterite is tetragonal.
- Luster: In terms of luster, cassiterite can be adamantine, dull, greasy or vitreous (glassy).
- Streak: Cassiterite streaks brown, pale or pale brown.
- Hardness: Cassiterite's hardness ranges from 6 to 7 on the Moh's scale.
- Specific Gravity: Cassiterite's specific gravity ranges from 6.7 to 6.99.
Cassiterite: Background and Summary
Cassiterite is a mineral composed of tin dioxide (SnO2) and is the primary ore of tin. It is generally brown or black in color and has a high density, making it easy to identify. The mineral can be identified by its hardness, which is 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale, and its luster, which is adamantine to submetallic. Cassiterite also has a characteristic streak that is brownish-black.Cassiterite has been used for thousands of years as a source of tin, which is used in the production of various alloys, including bronze and pewter. It is also used in the manufacture of electronic components, such as transistors and circuit boards. In addition, cassiterite is used in the production of glass, as a coating for glass bottles and jars, and as a pigment in paints.
Cassiterite: Table of Properties
| Attribute | Cassiterite (src) |
|---|---|
| Transparency | transparent, translucent, opaque |
| Chemical Formula | SnO2 |
| Chemical Composition | tin oxide |
| Specific Gravity | 6.7, 6.99, 7.1 |
| Hardness | 6, 7 |
| Streak | brown, pale, pale brown |
| Crystallography | tetragonal |
| Refractive Index | 2.006, 2.101 |
| Hydrous | No |
| Colors | common: brown, red, black, yellow sometimes: band, colorless less common: gray, white, green |
| Solubility | insoluble |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.103 |
| Fracture | 1: 1 |
Cassiterite: FAQ
Q: Where is cassiterite found?A: Cassiterite is found in many parts of the world, including Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Peru, and the United States.
Q: How is cassiterite mined?
A: Cassiterite is mined using both underground and open-pit mining methods. The ore is then processed to remove impurities and extract the tin.
Q: Is cassiterite a rare mineral?
A: Cassiterite is not considered a rare mineral, but it is becoming increasingly scarce due to over-mining and the depletion of high-grade deposits.
Q: Is cassiterite toxic?
A: Cassiterite itself is not toxic, but the mining and processing of the mineral can be hazardous to human health and the environment due to the use of chemicals and the release of waste materials.
Sources
- "Cassiterite Mineral Data." Webmineral. Accessed on September 23, 2021. https://www.webmineral.com/data/Cassiterite.shtml- "Cassiterite." Mindat.org. Accessed on September 23, 2021. https://www.mindat.org/min-946.html
- "Cassiterite: The Tin Mineral." Geology.com. Accessed on September 23, 2021. https://geology.com/minerals/cassiterite.shtml
- Cassiterite: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassiterite
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