Red Cassiterite is an uncommon, gemmy variety of the primary tin ore, prized by collectors for its vivid reddish-brown color and high luster. It typically forms as prismatic or bipyramidal crystals and is often found in high-temperature hydrothermal vein systems or associated with granite pegmatites.
Is this red cassiterite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch red cassiterite with a known reference. Red Cassiterite sits at Mohs 6-7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Red Cassiterite leaves a white to pale brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Red Cassiterite typically shows a adamantine to submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, brown, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: prismatic, bipyramidal, or twinned crystals.
Often confused with
Red Cassiterite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Red Cassiterite leaves white to pale brown, Rutile leaves pale brown to yellow; luster reads adamantine to submetallic on Red Cassiterite and metallic to adamantine on Rutile.
How to tell apart: Red Cassiterite is noticeably harder (Mohs 6-7 vs. 3.5-4); streak differs, so Red Cassiterite leaves white to pale brown, Sphalerite leaves white to yellow-brown; luster reads adamantine to submetallic on Red Cassiterite and resinous to submetallic on Sphalerite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Red Cassiterite leaves white to pale brown, Zircon leaves white; luster reads adamantine to submetallic on Red Cassiterite and adamantine on Zircon.
Often found alongside red cassiterite
Minerals reported to co-occur with red cassiterite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SnO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6-7
- Density
- 6.8-7.1 g/cm³
- Streak
- White to Pale Brown
- Luster
- Adamantine to Submetallic
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic, Bipyramidal, Or Twinned Crystals
- Cleavage
- Indistinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Tin
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins and Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on crystal size and transparency
Where rockhounds find red cassiterite
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Bolivia
- China
- Czech Republic
- Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites country, the host setting where red cassiterite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, tourmaline, topaz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic, bipyramidal, or twinned crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in South Dakota. Start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find red cassiterite on the map
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