The facts
What wood Tin actually is
Mineralogically, wood Tin is cassiterite (variety) — SnO₂, crystallising in the tetragonal, radially fibrous system.
The colour is caused by fe and Nb substitution gives the brown to honey banding; the wood-grain look comes from concentric fibrous growth. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.997–2.093, and the specific gravity sits near 6.8–7.0; cleavage is imperfect prismatic.
Where wood Tin comes from
The recognised sources are Durango, Mexico, San Bernardino County, California, USA and Cornwall, England.
Origin affects price in this material, so we name the locality on every quote rather than the country. "African" or "Asian" tells a buyer nothing.
How wood Tin is treated
Untreated. Cut and polished as slices showing the concentric banding; unusually heavy for a brown stone, which is the quickest identification check.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What wood Tin is confused with
The usual confusions are Ordinary cassiterite, Goethite, Malachite and Petrified wood.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.997–2.093 and specific gravity 6.8–7.0 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What wood Tin is used for
Wood Tin is bought by mineral collecting and decorative objects — and each of those trades wants a different form of the same material.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the specimen or by the piece.
Durability and care
Hardness 6–7; cleavage imperfect prismatic. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
Hardness is not the whole story. Perfect cleavage means the stone can split cleanly if struck along the wrong plane, whatever its Mohs number, so a protective setting matters more here than the hardness suggests.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What wood Tin costs
Indicative pricing for wood Tin is Specimens 30–300 USD; polished slices 20–120 USD.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is wood Tin treated, and how?
Untreated. Cut and polished as slices showing the concentric banding; unusually heavy for a brown stone, which is the quickest identification check.
Where does wood Tin come from?
Durango, Mexico, San Bernardino County, California, USA and Cornwall, England. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is wood Tin hard enough to wear every day?
With care. It is 6–7 on the Mohs scale, which is hard enough, but imperfect prismatic cleavage means it can split if struck at the wrong angle. Use a protective setting and avoid ultrasonic cleaning.
How much does wood Tin cost?
Indicatively Specimens 30–300 USD; polished slices 20–120 USD. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is wood Tin confused with?
Most often Ordinary cassiterite, Goethite, Malachite and Petrified wood. A refractive index of 1.997–2.093 and a specific gravity near 6.8–7.0 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for wood tin?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about wood tin