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Tellurium

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Emperor Mine, Vatukoula, Tavua Gold Field, Viti Levu, Fiji
© Christian Rewitzer

Show Tellurium Photos (32)
Formula:
Te
System:HexagonalColour:Tin-white
Hardness:2 - 2½
Name:Latin name for the earth, tellus.


Selenium Group

Classification of Tellurium

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:1/B.03-40
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:1.CC.10

1 : ELEMENTS (Metals and intermetallic alloys; metalloids and nonmetals; carbides, silicides, nitrides, phosphides)
C : Metalloids and Nonmetals
C : Sulfur-selenium-iodine
Dana 7th edition ID:1.3.3.2
Dana 8th edition ID:1.3.4.2

1 : NATIVE ELEMENTS AND ALLOYS
3 : Semi-metals and non-metals
Hey's CIM Ref.:1.54

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

Type Locality:Faţa Băii (Facebánya), Zlatna (Zalatna), Alba Co., Romania

Physical Properties of Tellurium

Lustre:Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Tin-white
Streak:Gray
Hardness (Mohs):2 - 2½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Perfect
Perfect on {1010}, imperfect on {0001}
Density (measured):6.1 - 6.3 g/cm3
Density (calculated):6.225 g/cm3

Crystallography of Tellurium

Crystal System:Hexagonal
Cell Parameters:a = 4.4572Å, c = 5.929Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 1.33
Unit Cell Volume:V 102.01 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:3
Morphology:Prismatic and acicular crystals
Crystal Atlas:
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Tellurium no.2 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Tellurium no.5 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

About Crystal Atlas

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X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data: Peaks:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Optical Data of Tellurium

Type:Anisotropic
Anisotropism:Fairly strong
Colour in reflected light:white
Pleochroism:Weak

Chemical Properties of Tellurium

Formula:
Te
Essential elements:Te
All elements listed in formula:Te
Common Impurities:Se,Fe,Bi,S

Relationship of Tellurium to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
1.CC.05Rosickýite
S
1.CC.05Sulphur
S
 
8
1.CC.10Selenium
Se
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
1.29Tin
Sn
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
1.55Chromium
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)
Related Minerals - Dana Grouping):
1.3.3.1Paradocrasite
Sb
 
3
As
1.3.3.1Selenium
Se
1.3.3.2Hunchunite
Au
 
2
Pb

Other Names for Tellurium

Synonyms:
Lionite (of Berdell)Sylvanite (of Kirwan)
German names:
Tellur
Japanese names:
自然テルル
Latin names:
Aurum Paradoxum
Russian names:
Теллур
Varieties:
Selen-tellurium

Other Information

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 Tellurium

Reference List:Beiträge zur chemischen kentniss der mineralkörper (Berlin) (1802), 3,2.

Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1944), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume I: Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts, Oxides. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York. 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 834pp.: 138-139.

Acta Crystallographica (1967): 23: 670-671.

Internet Links for Tellurium

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Tellurium in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Tellurium details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Tellurium

    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.
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    (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.
    Argentina
     
    • Catamarca
      • Andalgalá
    • Chubut
      • Gastre
    		Brodtkorb (2002): Las Especies Minerales de la Republica Argentina
    Topa, D., Makovicky, E., Paar, W., Brodtkorb, M. (2004): The crystal structure of Angelaite, Cu2AgPbBiS4, a new mineral species from Angela mine, Province of Chubut, Argentina. 32nd IGC - Florence, 2004.
    • La Rioja
      • Sierra de Famatina
        • Chilecito Department
          • Cerro Negro District
    		Brodtkorb (2002): Las Especies Minerales de la Republica Argentina
    Austria
     
    • Salzburg
      • Hohe Tauern Mts
        • Untersulzbach valley
          • Leutachkopf Mt. - Stocker Alp area
    		A. Strasser: Die Minerale Salzburgs (1989)
      • Lungau
        • Murwinkel
          • Schellgaden
            • Gold mines
    		C. Auer: Lapis 20(11):11-20 (1995)
    Bulgaria
     
    • Pazardzhik (Pazardjik) Oblast
      • Srednogorie (Sredna Gora; Srdnia Gora) Region
        • Panagyurishte (Panagurishte) Obshchina
          • Chelopech
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990; American Mineralogist (1966): 51: 29-36
    Canada
     
    • Saskatchewan
      • Athabasca Basin
    		http://www.mineralinfo.org/Fiches/canada/McArthur.htm
    Chile
     
    • Coquimbo Region
      • Limarí Province
        • Ovalle
          • Punitaqui
    		I.Domeyko collection; La Serena University School of Mine; Enami information (Chilean National Agency for Small Mine Development)
    China
     
    • Henan Province
      • Luoyang Prefecture
        • Luanchuan Co.
          • Xiaoqinling gold belt
    		Jianong Zhao, Fugen Ren, Zenghui Li, and Shiying Ding (1997): Acta Petrologica et Mineralogica 16(1), 75-80.
        • Luoning Co.
          • Xiaoqinling gold belt
    		Yanjing Chen, Pirajno, F., and Jinping Qi (2007): Journal of Asian Earth Sciences (in press).
    • Shandong Province
      • Linyi Prefecture
        • Pingyi Co.
          • Tongshi complex
    		Anthony, J.W. et al.: Handbook of Mineralogy
    Zeng Qingdong, Liu Tiebing, Shen Yuanchao, and Li Guangming (2002): Journal of Geoscientific Research in Northeast Asia 5(2), 157-174.
    • Sichuan Province
      • Ya'an Prefecture
        • Shimian Co.
    		Anthony, J.W. et al.: Handbook of Mineralogy
    Fiji
     
    • Viti Levu
      • Tavua Gold Field
        • Vatukoula
    16th Australian Geological Convention, Adelaide,
    Finland
     
    • Etelä-Suomen Lääni
      • Orivesi
    		No reference listed
    • Itä-Suomen Lääni
      • Ilomantsi
    		No reference listed
    • Oulun (Oulu) Lääni
      • Kuusamo
    		http://www.gsf.fi/info/tr153abs.html
    Germany
     
    • Saxony
      • Erzgebirge
        • Schlema-Hartenstein District
          • Alberoda
    		The Canadian Mineralogist, V 42, 2004, pp. 1719-1732.
    Honduras
     
    • Francisco Morazán Department
      • Distrito Central
        • Tegucigalpa
          • Ojojona
    		Dana 6:980.
    Hungary
     
    • Heves Co.
      • Mátra Mts.
        • Gyöngyössolymos
    		Szakáll & Gatter, 1993
    100 mineral localities of Hungary: Kovács Viktor: Paradsasvár, a Nagylápa-fő környéki kutatótárók meddőhányói
    Italy
     
    • Sicily
      • Messina Province
        • Lipari
          • Eolie Islands (Aeolian Islands)
            • Vulcano Island
    		COSSA A. (1898): Sulla presenza del tellurio nei prodotti dell'Isola di Vulcano. - Atti della Reale Accademia delle Scienze di Torino - 33, 8, 449. FULIGNATI P., SBRANA A. (1998): Presence of native gold and tellurium in the active high-sulfidation system of the La Fossa volcano (Vulcano, Italy). - Journal of volcanology and geothermal research - 86 - 187-198.
    Japan
     
    • Hokkaido Island
      • Iburi Province
    		Bernard, A. (1985), Thèse de doctorat, University Libre de Bruxelles; Africano & Beranrd (2000), Jour. Vlcanology & Geothermal Research: 97: 475-495.
      • Sapporo
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990
    Dana 7:I:139; Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 636.
    • Honshu Island
      • Chubu Region
        • Shizuoka Prefecture
          • Shimoda City
            • Rendaiji
    		Kato (1973) Sakurai Kobutsu Hyohon (Sakurai Mineral Collection), 34; Rocks & Min.: 62:167.
    Dr. Kameki Kinoshita collection (curated at Geological Survey of Japan)
      • Tohoku Region
        • Aomori Prefecture
          • Shimokita-gun
    		K Jouhou, #131 (15-4-2002)
    Mexico
     
    • Sonora
      • Mun. de Cananea
    		 Lawrence D. Dickey collection
      • Mun. de Moctezuma
        • Moctezuma
    		Lapis 2001(1), 11-40
    Lapis 2001(1), 11-40
    No reference listed
    Lapis 2001(1), 11-40
    New Zealand
     
    • North Island
      • Te Aroha
    		Courtney, S.F., King, P. & Rodgers, K.A., (1990). A Check List of Minerals from the Tui Mine, Te Aroha, New Zealand. New Zealand Natural Sciences 17: 95-98.
    Norway
     
    • Finnmark
      • Kautokeino
    		R. Hagen 1980, p. c., Neumann 1985, p. 12.
    Romania
     
    • Alba Co.
    		No reference listed
      • Zlatna (Zalatna)
    		No reference listed
    Dana 6:11.
    Russia
     
    • Far-Eastern Region
      • Kamchatka Oblast'
      • Southern Kurily
        • Kunashir Island
    		P.M. Kartashov data
    • Urals Region
      • Southern Urals
        • Bashkiria republic
    		Vikentyev I.V. e.a. (2004) Gold and PGE in massive sulfide ore of the Uzelginsk deposit, Southern Urals, Russia, - Can. Miner., v.42, p.2, pp.651-665.
    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 Africa
     
    • Free State Province
    		Minerals of South Africa
    Spain
     
    • Andalusia
      • Almería
        • Níjar
    		A. Arribas, F. Hernández, M. A. Fernández Périz, J. Gröbner, G. Leal (2005): Rodalquilar - El oro del capo del ágata. BOCAMINA 15, 12-88.
    Sweden
     
    • Småland
      • Oskarshamn
    		No reference listed
    • Södermanland
      • Nyköping
        • Tunaberg
    		Mineralogy and Petrology (1991) 44 (1-2), 1438-1168
    Turkey
     
    • Marmara Region
      • Balikesir Province
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Cochise Co.
        • Mule Mts
          • Warren District
    		[MinRec 24:421]
    Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 390; Graeme, R. (1993), Bisbee revisited, Min.Rec.: 24: 421-436.
    Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 389-390; Butler, B.S., et al (1938b), Geology and ore deposits of the Tombstone district, AZ, AZ Bur. Mines Bull. 143: 51.
          • Tombstone
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 212, 281; Bideaux, R.A., et al (1960), Some new occurrences of minerals of Arizona, AZ Geol. Soc. Digest: 3: 53-56.
      • La Paz Co.
        • Granite Wash Mts
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 390.
    • California
      • Calaveras Co.
        • Angels Camp
    		www.mineralsocal.org
    San Diego Natural History Museum
      • Tuolumne Co.
        • Jamestown District
          • Jamestown
    		Native gold from the Jamestown Mine, Tuolumne County, California, Mineralogical Record, Jan 1994 by Nelson, Genne Myers, Leicht, Wayne
    • Colorado
      • Boulder Co.
        • Balarat District
    		Dana 6:11.
        • Gold Hill District
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    Dana 6: 11, 1089; Dana 7:I:206, 424.
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
        • Jamestown District
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
          • Jamestown
    		Rocks & Min.:10:83.
    RWMW specimem
        • Magnolia District
    		Dana 6:11.
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
    Dana 6:11 & Dana 7:I:594.
    Dana 6: 11, 980; Dana 7:I: 594.
    Dana 6: 11; Dana 7:I:219.
        • Sugarloaf District
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
      • Gunnison Co.
        • Vulcan District
    		Dana 7:I:199,594 & II:508.
    Dana 7:I:199.
    Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990
      • Hinsdale Co.
        • Lake City District (Lake District)
          • Lake City
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
      • La Plata Co.
        • La Plata District (California District)
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
      • Lake Co.
        • Alicante
          • Buckeye Gulch
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckel, E. B.
      • Saguache Co.
        • Bonanza District (Kerber Creek District)
          • Bonanza
    		Am Min 89:1043-1047
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
      • Teller Co.
    		Korbel & Novak, 1999. Minerals Encyclopaedia, p.17
    Min Rec 36:2 pp143-185
    • Connecticut
      • Fairfield Co.
        • Monroe
    		Januzzi, 1976. Mineral Localities of CT and Southeastern NY State
    • Maine
      • Hancock Co.
        • Sorrento
    		King, V. and Foord, E., 1994, Mineralogy of Maine, v. 1; Morrill et al. 1958.
    • Michigan
    		www.deq.state.mi.us/documents/deq-glm-rcim-geology-Minerals_Found_In_Michigan.Pdf.
    • Nevada
    		NBMG Spec Pub 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Esmeralda Co.
        • Goldfield District
    		Rocks & Minerals, Nov. 1999
    NBMG Spec Pub 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Humboldt Co.
        • Potosi District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Lander Co.
        • Ravenswood District
    		NBMG Spec Pub 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Lincoln Co.
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990
    • New Mexico
      • Bernalillo Co.
        • Placitas District
    		Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
      • Catron Co.
    		Northrop, 3rd rev. ed. (1996) Minerals of New Mexico
        • Wilcox District
          • Lone Pine Hill area
    		Northrop, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd Rev. Ed., 1996
      • Doña Ana Co.
    		Northrop, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd. rev. ed. (1996)
    Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
    Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
      • Grant Co.
    		Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
      • Hidalgo Co.
    		Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
      • Sierra Co.
    		Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
    Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
    Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
    • North Carolina
      • Burke Co.
        • Brindletown
    		Rocks & Min.:60:86.
    • Utah
      • Utah Co.
        • East Tintic Mts
          • East Tintic District
    		SEM EDS verified by Rob Bowles
    • Virginia
      • Fluvanna Co.
    		Minerals of Virginia 1990 by R. V. Dietrich
        • Gold-Pyrite Belt
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990
      • Spotsylvania Co.
        • Gold-Pyrite Belt
    		Minerals of Virginia 1990 by R. V. Dietrich
    Uzbekistan
     
    • Tashkent (Toshkent) Viloyati
      • Angren Region
        • Chatkal-Kuraminskii Range
    		Mineralogical Almanac, Volume 38, 45-56
    No reference listed
    Mineral and/or Locality
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