Formula: SnO₂    Hardness: 6 - 7

The name Cassiterite comes from the Greek word κασσίτερος kassiteros for tin.

Cassiterite is mainly found in hydrothermal veins and todays best finds are coming from the Bolivian tin mines. These Bolivian veins are concentrated in high temperature quartz veins and pegmatites associated with granitic intrusives. The veins commonly contain tourmaline, topaz, fluorite, apatite, wolframite, molybdenite, and arsenopyrite.