Cassiterite vs Magnetite
| Property | Cassiterite | Magnetite |
|---|---|---|
| Formule | SnO2 | Fe3O4 |
| Système Cristallin | Tetragonal | Cubic (Isometric) |
| Classe Minérale | 04 Oxides and Hydroxides | 04 Oxides and Hydroxides |
| Dureté Mohs | 6.0-7.0 | 5.5-6.5 |
| Couleur | Brown, black, reddish-brown, yellow | Black |
| Éclat | Adamantine | Metallic |
| Trait | White to pale brown | Black |
| Transparence | Translucent | Opaque |
| Clivage | Poor {100} | None |
| Cassure | Subconchoidal to uneven | Conchoidal to uneven |
Key Differences
- ◆ Cassiterite (SnO2) is the tin ore; magnetite (Fe3O4) is the magnetic iron ore.
- ◆ Cassiterite has a much higher specific gravity (6.8–7.1) than magnetite (5.17–5.18).
- ◆ Cassiterite has adamantine luster; magnetite has metallic luster.
- ◆ Magnetite is strongly magnetic; cassiterite is not.
- ◆ Cassiterite is tetragonal; magnetite is cubic — different crystal habits.