Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Chat Now! (2 online) Mindat Auctions

Tin

Big Photo

L'Argentolle Mine, L'Argentolle, Saint-Prix, Beuvray, Saône-et-Loire, Burgundy, France
© C.Boutry

Show Tin Photos (4)
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)
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-3965.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

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(Sn,Sb)
1.AC.15Yuanjiangite
AuSn
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
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
Pb
 
2
Pd
 
3
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
French names:
Etain
German names:
Zinn
Italian names:
Stagno
Latin names:
Stannum
Russian names:
Олово

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.

Internet Links for Tin

Search Engines:
  • Look for Tin on Google
  • Look for Tin images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Tin on Webmineral
  • Look for Tin on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Tin on Wikipedia
  • Look for Tin on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Tin in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Tin details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Wendel Minerals - Auktion & Shop
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Tin specimens
  • Find Tin on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Lapis Mineral Magazin
  • Wright's Rock Shop - excellent mineral specimens since 1970
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • e-Rocks - Mineral Auctions and Sales
  • rare and unusual minerals mainly crystallized
  • Search for Tin at Thames Valley Minerals
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Page Sponsor

    Sponsorship:This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to find out how you can sponsor this page.

    Localities for Tin

    Hide Locality List
    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.
    These maps work faster with Firefox!
    (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.
    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
    Canada
     
    • Saskatchewan
      • Beaverlodge Region
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990
    China
     
    • 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
        • Qusum (Qusong) Co.
    		http://www.ngu.no/FileArchive/165/2003_055.pdf Geological Survey of Norway / The Alice Wain Memorial West Norway Eclogite Field Symposium / Abstract Volume p. 8.
    Colombia
     
    • Chocó Department
      • Cauca
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990
    Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
     
    • Katanga (Shaba)
      • Katanga Copper Crescent
        • Western area
          • 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
    		No reference listed
    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.
    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
      • Saha Republic (Sakha Republic; Yakutia)
    		[World of Stones 12:49]
        • Vilyui River Basin (Vilui River Basin; Wilui River Basin)
          • Lower Khann'ya River
      • Transbaikalia (Zabaykalye)
        • Irkutskaya Oblast'
          • Bodaibo Region
    		http://www.igem.ru/igem/chem/pt/sukhloge.htm
    • Far-Eastern Region
      • Chukot Peninsula
        • Chukotka (Tchukotka) Okrug
          • Okhost-Chukotka belt
    		[AmMin 82:821]
        • Magadanskaya Oblast'
          • Kolyma area
            • Bol'shoi Anyui River Basin
              • Baimka River
                • Aluchinskii Massif (Aluchin horst)
    		No reference listed
      • Kamchatka Oblast'
        • Bezymyannyi Volcano
    		No reference listed
    No reference listed
      • Magadanskaya Oblast'
        • Kolym (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
        • Orenburgskaya Oblast'
    		M.I. Novgorodova Doklady AN SSSR, 1979, v.248, N4, pp.965-968
    Slovakia
     
    • Banská Bystrica Region
      • Kremnica Mts
    		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
    		No reference listed
    The Moon
     
    Mokhov A.V., Kartashov P.M., Bogatikov O.A. (2007) Moon under a microscope, - Moscow, Nauka, p.128 (in Rus.).
    USA
     
    • 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
    • Tashkent (Toshkent) Viloyati
      • Angren Region
        • Chatkal-Kuraminskii Range
    		Mineralogical Almanac, Volume 38, 45-56
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
    Copyright © Jolyon & Ida Ralph 1993-2008. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them.Further information contact the 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 hundreds of members and supporters. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.