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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 (8)



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:Rounded 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
Pb
 
0.7
Hg
 
0.3
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
CuSn
1.71Taimyrite-I
(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
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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
    Steve Sorrell Collection;
    • 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
      • Mohnyin District (Moe Hnyin District)
        • Hpakant Township (Hpakan; Phakant; Phakan)
          • Hpakant-Tawmaw Jade Tract
    		Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data, specimen of Sieghard Ellenberger
    Canada
     
    • Newfoundland and Labrador
      • Newfoundland
    		SABINA, A.P. (1976): Rocks & minerals for the collector: The Magdalen Islands, Quebec and the island of Newfoundland. Geological Survey of Canada Paper 75-36, 199p. Reissued in 2003 as Île de la Madeleine, Quebec, the Island of Newfoundland and Labrador. Geological Survey of Canada Miscellaneous Report 58, 160-161.
    • Ontario
      • Sudbury District
        • Sudbury
    		Ford, F.D., Wecholaz, C.R. & Lee, A. (2011) Predicting process outcomes for Sudbury platinum-group minerals using grade-recovery modeling from mineral liberation analyzer (MLA) data. Canadian Mineralogist 49, 1627-1642.
    Ford, F.D., Wecholaz, C.R. & Lee, A. (2011) Predicting process outcomes for Sudbury platinum-group minerals using grade-recovery modeling from mineral liberation analyzer (MLA) data. Canadian Mineralogist 49, 1627-1642.
    • Saskatchewan
      • Beaverlodge Region
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990; Jack F. B. Silman (1954) Native tin associated with pitchblende at Nesbitt LaBine Uranium Mines. American Mineralogist 39:529-531.
    China
     
    • Hunan Province
      • Chenzhou Prefecture
        • Guiyang Co.
    		Yuanliang Chen (1985): Acta Mineralogica Sinica 5(1), 91-95
        • Suxian District
          • Dongpo ore field
    		Bingtao Li (1990): Geology and Prospecting 26(1), 22-27
    • Qinghai Province
      • Haixi Autonomous Prefecture
        • Golmud Co. (Ge'ermu Co.)
          • Qimantage Mtns
    		Zhang Dequan, Wang Yan, Feng Chengyou, Li Daxin, Yan Shenghao, and Cui Yanhe (2002): Mineral Deposits 21(3), 213-222
    • 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 Prefecture (Lhokha Prefecture; Lhoka Prefecture)
        • Qusum Co. (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 District
          • Mutoshi (Ruwe)
    		www.ulb.ac.be/sciences/katangapgm/STUMAT.pdf.
    Finland
     
    • Eastern Finland Region
    Germany
     
    • North Rhine-Westphalia
      • Sauerland
        • Arnsberg
          • Hüsten
    		D. Pawlowski: "Mineralfundstellen im Sauerland", Weise (Munich), 1991
    Greenland
     
    • Kitaa Province (West Greenland)
      • 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
        • Eolie Islands (Aeolian Islands)
          • Lipari
    		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
    		Keren Tan (1998): Gold Science and Technology 6(4), 29-37
      • 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
        • 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 Viloyati (Syrdar'ya)
      • 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 Viloyati (Toshkent)
      • Angren Region
        • Chatkal-Kuraminskii Range
    		Kovalenker, V. et al New Data on Minerals (2003): 38: 45-56
          • Kuraminskie Mtn
    		Sabir K. Mustafin data
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2013. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them. Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.
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