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Tlalocite

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

Show Tlalocite Photos (4)



Formula:
Cu
 
10
Zn
 
6
(Te
6+
 
O
 
4
)
 
2
(Te
4+
 
O
 
3
)(OH)
 
25
Cl · 27H
 
2
O
System:OrthorhombicColour:Blue
Hardness:1
Name:
Named after "Tlaloc", the Aztec god of rain, alluding to its high water content.


May be confused with quetzalcoatlite.

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:1974
Geological Setting of type material:Partially oxidized hydrothermal deposit.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
TenoriteMalachiteAzurite

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
(Te
6+
 
O
 
4
)
 
2
(Te
4+
 
O
 
3
)(OH)
 
25
Cl · 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
(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
4
 · 3H
 
2
O
7.DE.10Carbonatecyanotrichite
Cu
 
4
Al
 
2
(CO
 
3
,SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
12
 · 2H
 
2
O
7.DE.10Cyanotrichite
Cu
 
4
Al
 
2
(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
12
 · 2H
 
2
O
7.DE.10UKI-1975-(SO:AlCu)
(Cu, Al, SO
 
4
, H
 
2
O)
7.DE.15Schwertmannite
Fe
3+
16
(OH,SO
 
4
)
 
12-13
O
 
16
 · 10-12H
 
2
O
7.DE.25Utahite
Cu
 
5
Zn
 
3
(TeO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
8
 · 7H
 
2
O
7.DE.35Coquandite
(SbO)
 
6
(SO
 
4
)O
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
7.DE.40Osakaite
Zn
 
4
(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
6
 · 5H
 
2
O
7.DE.45Wilcoxite
MgAl(SO
 
4
)
 
2
F · 18H
 
2
O
7.DE.50Stanleyite
(V
4+
 
O)(SO
 
4
) · 6H
 
2
O
7.DE.55Mcalpineite
Cu
 
3
(Te
6+
 
O
 
6
) · H
 
2
O
7.DE.60Hydrobasaluminite
Al
 
4
(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
10
 · 12-36H
 
2
O
7.DE.62Volaschioite
Fe
 
4
(SO
 
4
)O
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · 2H
 
2
O
7.DE.65Zaherite
Al
 
12
(SO
 
4
)
 
5
(OH)
 
26
 · 20H
 
2
O
7.DE.70Lautenthalite
PbCu
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · 3H
 
2
O
7.DE.75Camerolaite
Cu
 
4
Al
 
2
(HSbO
 
4
,SO
 
4
)(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
10
 · 2H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
28.4.1Xocomecatlite
Cu
 
3
(TeO
 
4
)(OH)
 
4
28.4.2Carlfriesite
CaTe
4+
2
Te
6+
 
O
 
8
28.4.3Yafsoanite
Ca
 
3
Zn
 
3
(TeO
 
6
)
 
2
28.4.5Oboyerite
H
 
6
(Pb,Ca)
 
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
H
 
2
Pb
 
3
(Te
4+
 
O
 
3
)(Te
6+
 
O
 
6
)
28.4.8Khinite
Pb
2+
 
Cu
2+
3
Te
6+
 
O
 
6
(OH)
 
2
28.4.9Parakhinite
Pb
2+
 
Cu
2+
3
Te
6+
 
O
 
6
(OH)
 
2
28.4.10Dugganite
Pb
 
3
Zn
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(TeO
 
6
)
28.4.11Kuksite
Pb
 
3
Zn
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(TeO
 
6
)
28.4.12Cheremnykhite
Pb
 
3
Zn
 
3
(VO
 
4
)
 
2
(TeO
 
6
)
28.4.13Tlapallite
H
 
6
(Ca,Pb)
 
2
(Cu,Zn)
 
3
(TeO
 
3
)
 
4
(TeO
 
6
)(SO
 
4
)
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
Bi
 
5
(Te
6+
 
O
 
4
)
 
2
(Te
4+
 
O
 
3
)O
 
9
 · 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

Search Engines:
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    • External Links:
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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Tlalocite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    • Localities for Tlalocite

    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.
    Hide Locality List
    (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.
        • Soda Lake Mts
          • Baker
    		American Mineralogist (2000): 85: 604, 607.
    Mineral and/or Locality
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