# data[].attributes.body
Cassiterite has tremendous dispersive fire, much more than diamond, that is visible in properly cut pale-colored gems. This lighter-colored material is, however, very rare except in small fragments. Cassiterite is a fine gemstone – it is rather hard, and there is no cleavage problem. It is unfortunate that cuttable rough is so scarce. Cassiterites under 5 carats are not among the rarest of rare stones, but large clean gems definitely are.

https://www.gemsociety.org/article/cassiterite-jewelry-and-gemstone-information/

# data[].attributes.body
Cassiterite is a tin oxide mineral SnO2and it is the chief tin ore throughout ancient history and the most important source of tin. It can be found in alluvial or placer deposits containing the resistant weathered grains. It is used to produce tin cans for food container, electronic industry, an alloy for bearing metal and as an alloy in metallic coatings. Inorganic compounds of tin are used in ceramics and glazes. Organic compounds of tin are used in plastics, wood preservatives, pesticides and in fire retardants. Cassiterite has high economic value because it has advantageous combinations of a low melting point, malleability, resistance to corrosion and fatigue, and ability to alloy with other metals. It is also non-toxic and easy to recycle. It occurs in both primary and secondary deposits. Primary deposits are associated with granite intrusive and secondary deposits derive from the weathering and erosion of primary tin deposits.

# data[].attributes.body
Frederic Gautier has been thinking a lot about death recently. The miner, from South Kivu, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), thought about it as he cowered under his bed to escape a deadly ambush at his mine. The thought returned when he was subsequently captured by armed men and forced to carry stolen minerals on his back through the forest.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/conflict-minerals-bringing-death-to-the-democratic-republic-of-congo-as-eu-plans-laws-to-clean-up-10255483.html

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Work in cassiterite mine, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Filmed by Ian Redmond for Year of the Gorilla 2009.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Wisconsin Geological & Natural History Survey " Cassiterite

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Minute quantities of cassiterite occur along a quartz vein cutting Ninemile granite Red Rock S.W. (= "Roehl West Quarry") Quarry , west of Wausau, along Spring Brook Road. (Buchholz and Simmons, 2002) In the adjacent Maguire Pit cassiterite occurs as "dark red brown and masses to 3 mm" associated with topaz, ferberite/hubnerite and other rare minerals.

# data[].attributes.body
Countries rich in minerals such as cobalt, coltan, cassiterite, copper, and gold are often marred by corruption, authoritarian repression, militarization, and civil war. Rebel groups, governments and mining companies exploit mineral resources, fueling civil and interstate conflict as players vie for control over riches. Countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo have fallen victim to rebels who use revenue from minerals such as diamonds, coltan and cassiterite to purchase arms and fuel conflict. Governments often establish repressive military regimes in mineral producing regions to protect their "national interests," but local populations rarely see the profits and are subjected to environmental damage wrought by corporations. The articles and analyses below follow the dark nexus between mineral riches and bloody conflict.

# data[].attributes.body
Formula:

SnO2

Hardness:

6 - 7

Color:

Black, yellow, brown, red or white

Streak Color:

Brownish white, white, greyish

Crystal System:

Tetragonal

Group:

Oxides

http://www.mineralogy4kids.org/mineral/cassiterite

# data[].attributes.body
The mineral name is derived from the term “Cassiterides," which was applied to an island off the western coast of Europe in pre-Roman times. The primary ore of tin, this mineral is found in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites associated with granite intrusions. The chief use of tin is in the manufacture of tin plate and tern plate.

http://www.mineralogy4kids.org/mineral/cassiterite

# data[].attributes.body
Cassiterite