Tin

  • CassitteriteWhat is it and where is it formed?  Tin is a metal.  Cassiterite is the ore of Tin which is an element on the Periodic Table of Elements.  The elements on this table are pure when they aren't mixed with other elements.  Most of the time, tin is in an ore which means that it is combined with something else and not all by itself when it is mined.  The Cassiterite ore is formed in places where it’s hot.  Water erosion and weathering push it into streams and rivers. It is in igneous and metamorphic rock.

  • How and where is it mined?  Most of the time, tin ore is mined using placer mining.  It is mined in: China, Indonesia, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Russia, and Australia.

  • What is it used for?  Tin is used for the outer layer of tin cans, solder for welding, and is used to make bronze.  It is used in combination with other metals and not alone.
Mineral Characteristic What the
mineralogists say		 Kid's Guide:  What it REALLY means!
Chemical Symbol Sn

This is an element on the Periodic Table of the Elements. This means that Tin is pure and not mixed with any other mineral.
Color White to gray The metal’s color is any shade between white and gray.
Streak Grayish white If you crush this, the dust would be grayish white.
Transparency Opaque You can’t see through it.
Luster Metallic It will shine if there is light on it.
Cleavage Indistinct It doesn’t break into sheets or any pattern that can be seen.  It is easily bent and molded.
Fracture None It does not break into tiny pieces.
Magnetism Yes The niobium-tin combination forms a strong magnet.
Hardness 1.5 A fingernail is harder than this metal and is able to scratch it.
Specific gravity 7.3 Metallic elements are usually heavy but this is heavier than normal.
Crystal Shape Tetragonal

Tetragonal crystal shape