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Tin

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Big Photo

Kumak ore field, Orenburgskaya Oblast', Southern Urals, Urals Region, Russia
© Pavel M. Kartashov

Show Tin Photos (6)



Formula:
Sn
System:TetragonalColour:Tin-white
Lustre:MetallicHardness:1½ - 2
Name:Old English origin, related to dutch "tin" and german "zinn".


Occurs as greyish metallic grains and nuggets to 1 cm.

Classification of Tin

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:1/A.05-30
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:1.AC.10

1 : ELEMENTS (Metals and intermetallic alloys; metalloids and nonmetals; carbides, silicides, nitrides, phosphides)
A : Metals and Intermetallic Alloys
C : Indium-tin family
Dana 7th edition ID:1.1.19.1
Dana 8th edition ID:1.1.13.1

1 : NATIVE ELEMENTS AND ALLOYS
1 : Metals, other than the Platinum Group
Hey's CIM Ref.:1.29

1 : Elements and Alloys (including the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au)
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Type Occurrence of Tin

Type Locality:Miass River, Chelyabinsk Oblast', Southern Urals, Urals Region, Russia

Physical Properties of Tin

Lustre:Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Tin-white
Streak:Grey-white
Hardness (Mohs):1½ - 2
Hardness (Vickers):VHN10=7 - 9 kg/mm2
Hardness Data:Measured
Tenacity:Malleable
Cleavage:None Observed
Fracture:Hackly
Density (measured):7.31 g/cm3
Density (calculated):7.286 g/cm3

Crystallography of Tin

Crystal System:Tetragonal
Class (H-M):4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) - Ditetragonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:I41/amd {I41/a 2/m 2/d}
Cell Parameters:a = 5.831Å, b = 5.831Å, c = 3.182Å
α = 90°, β = 90°, γ = 90°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1 : 1 : 0.546
Unit Cell Volume:V 108.19 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:rounde grains and nuggets to a mm

Chemical Properties of Tin

Formula:
Sn
Essential elements:Sn
All elements listed in formula:Sn
Empirical Formula:
Sn

Relationship of Tin to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
1.AC.05Indium
In
1.AC.15Eta-bronze
Cu
 
6
Sn
 
5
1.AC.15Sorosite
Cu
 
1+x
(Sn,Sb), where 0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.2
1.AC.15Yuanjiangite
AuSn
1.AC.15UM1965-07-E:CuSn
Cu
 
3
Sn
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
1.1Copper
Cu
1.2Silver
Ag
1.5Gold
Au
1.6Auricupride
Cu
 
3
Au
1.7Tetra-auricupride
AuCu
1.8Zinc
Zn
1.9Cadmium
Cd
1.10Danbaite
CuZn
 
2
1.11Zhanghengite
CuZn
1.12Mercury
Hg
1.13Kolymite
Cu
 
7
Hg
 
6
1.14Moschellandsbergite
Ag
 
2
Hg
 
3
1.15Eugenite
Ag
 
11
Hg
 
2
1.16Schachnerite
Ag
 
1.1
Hg
 
0.9
1.17Paraschachnerite
Ag
 
3
Hg
 
2
1.18Luanheite
Ag
 
3
Hg
1.19Weishanite
(Au,Ag)
 
3
Hg
 
2
1.20Indium
In
1.21Aluminium
Al
1.22Khatyrkite
(Cu,Zn)Al
 
2
1.23Cupalite
(Cu,Zn)Al
1.24Diamond
C
1.25Graphite
C
1.26Chaoite
C
1.27Lonsdaleite
C
1.28Silicon
Si
1.30Lead
Pb
1.31Anyuiite
Au(Pb,Sb)
 
2
1.31Novodneprite
AuPb
 
3
1.32Leadamalgam
HgPb
 
2
1.33Arsenic
As
1.34Arsenolamprite
As
1.35Paxite
CuAs
 
2
1.36Koutekite
Cu
 
5
As
 
2
1.37Domeykite
Cu
 
3
As
1.38Algodonite
(Cu
 
1-x
As
 
x
)
1.39Novakite
Cu
 
20
AgAs
 
10
1.40Kutinaite
Cu
 
2
AgAs
1.41Antimony
Sb
1.42Stibarsen
AsSb
1.43Paradocrasite
Sb
 
3
As
1.44Horsfordite
Cu, Sb
1.45Cuprostibite
Cu
 
2
(Sb,Tl)
1.46Allargentum
(Ag
 
1-x
Sb
 
x
)
1.47Aurostibite
AuSb
 
2
1.48Dyscrasite
Ag
 
3
Sb
1.49Bismuth
Bi
1.50Maldonite
Au
 
2
Bi
1.51Sulphur
S
 
8
1.52Rosickýite
S
1.53Selenium
Se
1.54Tellurium
Te
1.55Chromium
Cr
1.56Rhenium
Re
1.57Iron
Fe
1.58Chromferide
Fe
 
3
Cr
 
1-x
 (x=0.6)
1.59Ferchromide
Cr
 
1.5
Fe
 
0.5-x
1.60Wairauite
CoFe
1.61Nickel
Ni
1.62Kamacite
(Fe,Ni)
1.63Taenite
(Fe,Ni)
1.64Tetrataenite
FeNi
1.65Awaruite
Ni
 
3
Fe
1.66Palladium
(Pd,Pt)
1.67Potarite
PdHg
1.68Paolovite
Pd
 
2
Sn
1.69Stannopalladinite
(Pd,Cu)
 
3
Sn
 
2
1.70Cabriite
Pd
 
2
SnCu
1.71Taimyrite
(Pd,Cu,Pt)
 
3
Sn
1.72Atokite
(Pd,Pt)
 
3
Sn
1.73Rustenburgite
(Pt,Pd)
 
3
Sn
1.74Zvyagintsevite
(Pd,Pt,Au)
 
3
(Pb,Sn)
1.75Plumbopalladinite
Pd
 
3
Pb
 
2
1.76Osmium
(Os,Ir,Ru)
1.77Iridium
(Ir,Os,Ru)
1.82Platinum
Pt
1.83Hongshiite
PtCu
1.84Niggliite
PtSn
1.85Isoferroplatinum
Pt
 
3
Fe
1.86Tetraferroplatinum
PtFe
1.87Tulameenite
Pt
 
2
CuFe
1.88Ferronickelplatinum
Pt
 
2
FeNi
1.89Rhodium
(Rh,Pt)

Other Names for Tin

Synonyms:
Native Tin
Other Languages:
French:Etain
German:Zinn
Italian:Stagno
Latin:Stannum
Russian:Олово
Simplified Chinese:自然锡

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:none
Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Tin

Reference List:

- +
Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1944), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Seventh edition, Volume I: 126.

Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society: 23: 30.

US National Bureau of Standards Circular: 359.

American Mineralogist (1967): 52: 299.

Vesselin M. Dekov, Ulf Hålenius, Kjell Billström, George D. Kamenov, Frans Munnik, Lars Eriksson, Alan Dyer, Mark Schmidt and Reiner Botz (2009): Native Sn–Pb droplets in a zeolitic amygdale (Isle of Mull, Inner Hebrides). Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 73, 2907-2919.

Internet Links for Tin

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Tin details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    • Localities for Tin

    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    Hide Locality List
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Algeria
     
    • Constantine Province
      • El Milia
    		G. Tchimichkian, Bull. Soc. Fr. Minéral. Cristallo. , 1974, 97, pp. 87-88.
    Atlantic Ocean
     
    • Mid-Atlantic Ridge complex
      • Sierra Leone fracture zone
        • Markov Deep
    		Sharkov, E.V., Abramov, S.S., Simonov, V.A., Krinov, D.I., Skolotnev, S.G., Bel’tenev, V.E., and Bortnikov, N.S. (2007): Geology of Ore Deposits 49(6), 467-486.
    Australia
     
    • New South Wales
      • Clarke Co.
    		Jan h. Bernard and Jaroslav Hyrsl ,2004, Minerals and their Localities, pg # 605
    • Tasmania
      • Scottsdale district
    		Bottrill & Baker (in prep) Catalogue of minerals of Tasmania
    Bolivia
     
    • La Paz Department
      • Loayza Province
    		Alfredo Petrov & Jaroslav Hyrsl collections
    Burma (Myanmar)
     
    • Kachin State
      • Myitkyina-Mogaung District
    		Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data, specimen of Sieghard Ellenberger
    Canada
     
    • Saskatchewan
      • Beaverlodge Region
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990
    China
     
    • Hunan Province
      • Chenzhou Prefecture
        • Guiyang Co.
    		Yuanliang Chen (1985): Acta Mineralogica Sinica 5(1), 91-95
    • Sichuan Province
      • Liangshan Autonomous Prefecture
        • Dechang Co.
    		Xie Yuling, Hou Zengqian, Xu Jiuhua, Yuan Zhongxin, Bai Ge, and Li Xiaoyu (2006): Science in China, Series D (Earth Sciences), 49(6), 597-603.
    • Tibet Autonomous Region
      • Shannan (Lhokha; Lhoka) Prefecture
        • Qusum (Qusong) Co.
    		Wenji Bai, Jingsui Yang, Qingsong Fang, Binggan Yan, and Zhongming Zhang (2001): Earth Science Frontiers 8(3), 111-121
    Colombia
     
    • Chocó Department
      • Mun. de Novita
        • San Juan Basin
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990
    Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
     
    • Katanga (Shaba)
      • Katanga Copper Crescent
        • Kolwezi
          • Mutoshi (Ruwe)
    		www.ulb.ac.be/sciences/katangapgm/STUMAT.pdf.
    Finland
     
    • Itä-Suomen Lääni
    Germany
     
    • North Rhine-Westphalia
      • Sauerland
        • Arnsberg
          • Hüsten
    		D. Pawlowski: "Mineralfundstellen im Sauerland", Weise (Munich), 1991
    Greenland
     
    • Kitaa (West Greenland) Province
      • Narsaq
    		Soerensen, H. (2001): The Ilimaussaq alkaline complex, South Greenland: status of mineralogical research with new results, Geology of Greenland Survey Bulletin 190, GEUS
    Italy
     
    • Sicily
      • Messina Province
        • Lipari
          • Eolie Islands (Aeolian Islands)
    		AA. VV., 1996. Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work .
            • Vulcano Island
    		MONTRASIO A., SCIESA E., VIGNOLA P. (1996) – Collezionare minerali – Hobby & Work, Ed., Milano, 800 pp.
    Kazakhstan
     
    • Karagandy Province (Qaragandy Oblysy; Karaganda Oblast')
      • Balkhash (Balqash; Karatas; Prebalkhashie) Region
        • Krasnyi Oktyabr'
    		Pavel M. Kartashov data
    Mongolia
     
    • Hovd Aimag (Khovd Aimag)
      • Altai Mts
    		P.M. Kartashov data
    Nigeria
     
    • Bauchi State
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Prebaikalia (Pribaikal'e)
        • Irkutskaya Oblast'
          • Bodaibo
            • Lena Gold District
              • Kropotkinsky ore cluster
    		http://www.igem.ru/igem/chem/pt/sukhloge.htm
      • Saha Republic (Sakha Republic; Yakutia)
    		[World of Stones 12:49]
    Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols
        • Polar Yakutia
    		Pavel M. Kartashov data
        • Vilyui River Basin (Vilui River Basin; Wilui River Basin)
          • Lower Khann'ya River
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    • Far-Eastern Region
      • Chukotskii Autonomous Okrug
        • Kolyma area
          • Bol'shoi Anyui River Basin
            • Baimka River
              • Aluchinskii Massif (Aluchin horst)
    		American Mineralogist, Volume 83, pages 901–906, 1998
        • Okhotsk-Chukotka belt
    		[AmMin 82:821]
      • Kamchatka Oblast'
        • Bezymyannyi Volcano
    		No reference listed
    No reference listed
      • Magadanskaya Oblast'
        • Kolyma River Basin
          • Ducat District
            • Omsukchan
              • Ducat ore field
    		No reference listed
      • Primorskiy Kray
        • Khanka Lake
    		V.V. Seredin data
    • Northern Region
      • Karelia Republic
        • Northern Karelia
    		P.M. Kartashov data
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
    • Urals Region
      • Middle Urals
        • Ekaterinburgskaya (Sverdlovskaya) Oblast'
          • Sysert' district
    		Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data
      • Southern Urals
        • Chelyabinsk Oblast'
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
        • Orenburgskaya Oblast'
    		M.I. Novgorodova Doklady AN SSSR, 1979, v.248, N4, pp.965-968
    Slovakia
     
    • Banská Bystrica Region
      • Žiar nad Hronom Co.
    		Ďuďa R., 1993 : Die mineralien der Gold und Silber - lagersttäte von Kremnitz ( Kremnica) in der Slowakei. Mineralien Welt /Haltern,Nemecko/,5, s. 20 - 32
    South Korea
     
    • Chungcheongbukdo (Chungchong-pukto)
      • Chungju (Chung Won Kum; Chung-ju)
        • Joongwon-gun
          • Mt. Eorae
    		P.M. Kartashov data
    Sweden
     
    • Värmland
      • Filipstad
        • Gåsborn
    		No reference listed
    The Moon
     
    • Mare Crisium
    		P.M. Kartashov data
    • Mare Fecunditatis
    		Mokhov, A.V., Kartashov, P.M., Bogatikov, O.A. (2007) Moon under a microscope, - Moscow, Nauka, p.128 (in Russian)
    U.S. Virgin Islands
    Alminas, Henry V.; Foord, Eugene E.; Tucker, Robert E. (1994) Geochemistry, mineralogy, and geochronology of the U.S. Virgin Islands USGS Bulletin 2057 36p
    Alminas, Henry V.; Foord, Eugene E.; Tucker, Robert E. (1994) Geochemistry, mineralogy, and geochronology of the U.S. Virgin Islands USGS Bulletin 2057 36p
    Alminas, Henry V.; Foord, Eugene E.; Tucker, Robert E. (1994) Geochemistry, mineralogy, and geochronology of the U.S. Virgin Islands USGS Bulletin 2057 36p
    UK
     
    • Scotland
      • Strathclyde (Argyllshire)
        • Isle of Mull
          • Carsaig
    		Vesselin M. Dekov, Ulf Hålenius, Kjell Billström, George D. Kamenov, Frans Munnik, Lars Eriksson, Alan Dyer, Mark Schmidt and Reiner Botz (2009): Native Sn–Pb droplets in a zeolitic amygdale (Isle of Mull, Inner Hebrides). Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 73, 2907-2919.
    USA
     
    • California
      • Humboldt Co.
        • Klamath Mts
          • Weitchpec District
            • Orleans (Orleans Bar; New Orleans Bar)
    		Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 367.
      • Tuolumne Co.
        • Columbia
    		Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 367.
    • Nevada
      • Humboldt Co.
        • Sulfur District
          • Crofoot-Lewis mine (Hycroft mine)
    		NBMG Spec Pub 31 Minerals of Nevada
    • South Dakota
      • Pennington Co.
        • Hill City District
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    • Vermont
      • Windsor Co.
        • Plymouth
          • Five Corners
    		Josef Vajdak (1999) Mineral News, 15, #7, 2.
    Uzbekistan
     
    • Sidaryo (Syrdar'ya) Viloyati
      • North Nuratau Range
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990; Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    • Tashkent (Toshkent) Viloyati
      • Angren Region
        • Chatkal-Kuraminskii Range
    		Kovalenker, V. et al New Data on Minerals (2003): 38: 45-56
          • Kuraminskie Mts
    		Sabir K. Mustafin data
    Mineral and/or Locality
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