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Tlalocite

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Moctezuma, Mun. de Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico
© Thomas Witzke

Show Tlalocite Photos (3)
Formula:
Cu
 
10
Zn
 
6
(TeO
 
3
)(TeO
 
4
)
 
2
Cl(OH)
 
25
·27H
 
2
O
System:OrthorhombicColour:Blue
Hardness:1
Name:
Named after "Tlaloc", the Aztec god of rain, alluding to its high water content.
This page provides mineralogical data about Tlalocite.

Classification of Tlalocite

IMA status:Approved 1974
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/K.16-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:7.DE.20

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations; unclassified
Dana 7th edition ID:33.3.2.1
Dana 8th edition ID:33.3.2.1

33 : SELENATES AND TELLURATES
3 : Compound Selenates and Tellurates
Hey's CIM Ref.:28.4.4

28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
4 : Tellurates
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Type Occurrence of Tlalocite

Type Locality:Bambollita Mine (Oriental Mine), Moctezuma, Mun. de Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Smithsonian 135057
Year of Discovery:1975
Geological Setting of type material:Partially oxidized hydrothermal deposit.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
TenoriteAzuriteMalachite

Physical Properties of Tlalocite

Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:Blue
Streak:Very pale blue
Hardness (Mohs):1
Tenacity:Sectile
Comment:Gummy and sectile
Density (measured):4.55(1) g/cm3
Density (calculated):4.58 g/cm3

Crystallography of Tlalocite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:a = 16.780(3) Å, b = 19.985(4) Å, c = 12.069(3) Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.84 : 1 : 0.604
Unit Cell Volume:V 4,047.32 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Velvety crusts of spherules, arcuate bands of laths

Optical Data of Tlalocite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.758 nβ = 1.796 nγ = 1.810
2V:Measured: 64° , Calculated: 60°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.052

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Very High
Dispersion:r > v
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:X= green
Y=Z= bluish green

Chemical Properties of Tlalocite

Formula:
Cu
 
10
Zn
 
6
(TeO
 
3
)(TeO
 
4
)
 
2
Cl(OH)
 
25
·27H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Cl, Cu, H, O, Te, Zn
All elements listed in formula:Cl, Cu, H, O, Te, Zn

Relationship of Tlalocite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
7.DE.05Mangazeite
Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
4
|SO
 
4
] · 3H
 
2
O
7.DE.10Carbonatecyanotrichite
Cu
 
4
Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
12
|(CO
 
3
,SO
 
4
)] · 2H
 
2
O
7.DE.10Cyanotrichite
Cu
 
4
Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
12
|SO
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
7.DE.10UKI-1975-(SO:AlCu)
Cu, Al, SO4, H2O
7.DE.15Schwertmannite
Fe
3+
16
O
 
16
(OH,SO
 
4
)
 
12-13
 · 10-12H
 
2
O
7.DE.25Utahite
Cu
 
5
Zn
 
3
[(OH)
 
2
|TeO
 
4
]
 
4
 · 7H
 
2
O
7.DE.35Coquandite
Sb
 
6
[O
 
8
|SO
 
4
] · H
 
2
O
7.DE.40Osakaite
Zn
 
4
(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
6
 ·5H
 
2
O
7.DE.45Wilcoxite
MgAl[F|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 18H
 
2
O
7.DE.50Stanleyite
(V
4+
 
O)[SO
 
4
] · 6H
 
2
O
7.DE.55Mcalpineite
Cu
 
3
[TeO
 
6
] · H
 
2
O
7.DE.60Hydrobasaluminite
Al
 
4
[(OH)
 
10
|SO
 
4
] · 12-36H
 
2
O
7.DE.65Zaherite
Al
 
12
[(OH)
 
26
|(SO
 
4
)
 
5
] · 20H
 
2
O
7.DE.70Lautenthalite
PbCu
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
·3H
 
2
O
7.DE.75Camerolaite
Cu
 
4
Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
10
|CO
 
3
|(HSbO
 
4
,SO
 
4
)] · 2H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
28.4.1Xocomecatlite
Cu
 
3
[(OH)
 
4
|TeO
 
4
]
28.4.2Carlfriesite
CaTe
 
3
O
 
8
28.4.3Yafsoanite
Ca
 
3
Zn
 
3
[TeO
 
6
]
 
2
28.4.5Oboyerite
Pb
 
6
H
 
6
[(Te
4+
 
O
 
3
)
 
3
|(Te
6+
 
O
 
6
)
 
2
] · 2H
 
2
O
28.4.6Schieffelinite
Pb
 
8
(TeO
 
4
)
 
5
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
·8H
 
2
O
28.4.7Girdite
Pb
 
3
H
 
2
[Te
4+
 
O
 
3
|Te
6+
 
O
 
6
]
28.4.8Khinite
Pb
2+
 
Cu
2+
3
(TeO
 
6
)(OH)
 
2
28.4.9Parakhinite
Pb
2+
 
Cu
2+
3
TeO
 
6
(OH)
 
2
28.4.10Dugganite
Pb
 
3
Zn
 
3
(Te
6+
 
O
 
6
)(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
28.4.11Kuksite
Pb
 
3
Zn
 
3
TeO
 
6
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
28.4.12Cheremnykhite
Pb
 
3
Zn
 
3
TeO
 
6
(VO
 
4
)
 
2
28.4.13Tlapallite
H
 
6
(Ca,Pb)
 
2
(Cu,Zn)
 
3
SO
 
4
(TeO
 
3
)
 
4
TeO
 
6
28.4.14Montanite
Bi
 
2
[TeO
 
6
] · 2H
 
2
O
28.4.15Kuranakhite
PbMn
4+
 
Te
6+
 
O
 
6
28.4.16Cuzticite
Fe
3+
2
[TeO
 
6
] · 3H
 
2
O
28.4.17Yecoraite
Fe
3+
3
(BiO)
 
5
(Te
4+
 
O
 
3
)(Te
6+
 
O
 
6
)
 
2
 · 9H
 
2
O

Other Names for Tlalocite

Synonyms:
IMA1974-047
Other Languages:
German:Tlalocit
Spanish:Tlalocita

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 Tlalocite

Reference List:Mineralogical Magazine (1975): 40: 221-226.

American Mineralogist (1976): 61: 504.

Geological Survey of Canada, Scientific and Technical Notes in Current Research: 78-1C: 104.

Internet Links for Tlalocite

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    Localities for Tlalocite

    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.
    (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.
    Mexico
     
    • Sonora
      • Mun. de Moctezuma
    Min.Mag.(1975) 40, 221-226
    USA
     
    • California
      • San Bernardino Co.
        • Baker
          • Section 2; T13N; R7E (SB)
    		American Mineralogist (2000): 85: 604, 607.
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. 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. Current server date and time: 20th Oct 2009 23:06:11