Tlalocite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Tlalocite
Formula:
Cu10Zn6(Te6+O4)2(Te4+O3)(OH)25Cl · 27H2O
Colour:
Blue
Hardness:
1
Specific Gravity:
4.55
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named after "Tlaloc", the Aztec god of rain, alluding to its high water content.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3982
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3982:2
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
8d1b470b-2516-4299-a11c-7f5469f21001
IMA Classification of Tlalocite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Cu10Zn6(Te4+O3)(Te6+O4)2Cl(OH)25 · 27H2O
Approval year:
1974
First published:
1975
Classification of Tlalocite
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
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 ed.:
33.3.2.1
33.3.2.1
33 : SELENATES AND TELLURATES
3 : Compound Selenates and Tellurates
33 : SELENATES AND TELLURATES
3 : Compound Selenates and Tellurates
28.4.4
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
4 : Tellurates
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
4 : Tellurates
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Tla | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Tlalocite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Blue
Streak:
Very pale blue
Hardness:
1 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Sectile
Comment:
Gummy and sectile
Density:
4.55(1) g/cm3 (Measured) 4.58 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Tlalocite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.758(2) nβ = 1.796(2) nγ = 1.810(5)
2V:
Measured: 64° , Calculated: 61°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.052
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Dispersion:
r > v
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X= green
Y=Z= bluish green
Y=Z= bluish green
Chemistry of Tlalocite
Mindat Formula:
Cu10Zn6(Te6+O4)2(Te4+O3)(OH)25Cl · 27H2O
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 V:
4,047.32 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Velvety crusts of spherules, arcuate bands of laths
Comment:
Point Group: n.d.; Space Group: n.d.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
16.787 Å | (10) |
4.201 Å | (10) |
8.394 Å | (8) |
3.355 Å | (6) |
1.560 Å | (5) |
2.796 Å | (3) |
2.588 Å | (3b) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
47g : [Halogen-bearing surface weathering minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Tlalocite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, Paris; National School of Mines, Paris, France; The Natural History Museum, London, England; Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 119091; National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 135057.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Partially oxidized hydrothermal deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Williams, S.A. (1975) Xocomecatlite, Cu3TeO4(OH)4, and tlalocite, Cu10Zn6(TeO3)(TeO4)2Cl(OH)25·27H2O, two new minerals from Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico. Mineralogical Magazine: 40: 221-226.
Synonyms of Tlalocite
Other Language Names for Tlalocite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
6 photos of Tlalocite associated with Hessite | Ag2Te |
3 photos of Tlalocite associated with Stützite | Ag5-xTe3, x = 0.24-0.36 |
3 photos of Tlalocite associated with Tlapallite | (Ca,Pb)3CaCu6[Te4+3Te6+O12]2(Te4+O3)2(SO4)2 · 3H2O |
3 photos of Tlalocite associated with Teineite | Cu2+(Te4+O3) · 2H2O |
3 photos of Tlalocite associated with Graemite | Cu[TeO3] · H2O |
2 photos of Tlalocite associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
1 photo of Tlalocite associated with Benleonardite | [Ag6(Sb,As)2S6Te][Ag9Cu(S,Te)2Te2] |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
7.DE. | Cossaite | (Mg0.5,◻)Al6(SO4)6(HSO4)F6 · 36H2O |
7.DE. | Magnesioalterite | Mg2Fe3+4(SO4)4(C2O4)2(OH)4 · 17H2O |
7.DE. | Liangjunite | K2(Mo2O5)(SO4)2 · 3H2O |
7.DE. | Fabritzite | Zn9(SO4)2(OH)12Cl2 · 6H2O |
7.DE. | Downsite | K2(MoO3)3(SO4) · 4H2O |
7.DE.05 | Mangazeite | Al2(SO4)(OH)4 · 3H2O |
7.DE.10 | Carbonatecyanotrichite | Cu4Al2(CO3,SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O |
7.DE.10 | Cyanotrichite | Cu4Al2(SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O |
7.DE.10 | UKI-1975-(SO:AlCu) | (Cu, Al, SO4, H2O) |
7.DE.15 | Schwertmannite | Fe3+16(OH,SO4)12-13O16 · 10-12H2O |
7.DE.25 | Utahite | MgCu4Zn2Te6+3O14(OH)4 · 6H2O |
7.DE.35 | Coquandite | Sb6+xO8+x(SO4)(OH)x(H2O)1- x (x = 0.3) |
7.DE.40 | Osakaite | Zn4(SO4)(OH)6 · 5H2O |
7.DE.42 | Alterite | Zn2Fe3+4(SO4)4(C2O4)2(OH)4 · 17H2O |
7.DE.45 | Wilcoxite | MgAl(SO4)2F · 17H2O |
7.DE.45 | Barrotite | Cu9Al(HSiO4)2[(SO4)(HAsO4)0.5](OH)12 · 8H2O |
7.DE.47 | Tiberiobardiite | {Cu9Al[SiO3(OH)]2(OH)12(H2O)6}(SO4)1.5 · 10H2O |
7.DE.50 | Stanleyite | (V4+O)(SO4) · 6H2O |
7.DE.50 | Bouškaite | (MoO2)2O(SO3OH)2(H2O)4 |
7.DE.57 | Khangalasite | Fe(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
7.DE.60 | Hydrobasaluminite | Al4(SO4)(OH)10 · 12-36H2O |
7.DE.62 | Volaschioite | Fe4(SO4)O2(OH)6 · 2H2O |
7.DE.65 | Zaherite | Al12(SO4)5(OH)26 · 20H2O |
7.DE.75 | Camérolaite | Cu6Al3(OH)18(H2O)2[Sb(OH)6](SO4) |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Tlalocite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3982.html
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References for Tlalocite
Reference List:
Williams, S. A. (1975) Xocomecatlite, Cu3TeO4(OH)4, and tlalocite, Cu10Zn6(TeO3)(TeO4)2Cl(OH)25·27H2O, two new minerals from Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico. Mineralogical Magazine, 40 (311) 221-226 doi:10.1180/minmag.1975.040.311.01
Localities for Tlalocite
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Mexico | |
| |
| Williams (1975) |
USA | |
| Housley R. +1 other reference |
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Bambollita Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico