Tellurite (mineral)

(repeating unit)TeO2IMA symbolTlr[1]Strunz classification4.DE.20Crystal systemOrthorhombicCrystal classDipyramidal (mmm)
H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m)Space groupPbcaUnit cella = 5.6 Å, b = 12.03 Å
c = 5.46 Å; Z = 8IdentificationColorYellow to whiteCrystal habitFlattened prismatic to acicular crystals, radiating groups; powdery, massiveCleavagePerfect on {010}TenacityFlexibleMohs scale hardness2LusterSub-adamantineDiaphaneityTransparent to opaqueSpecific gravity5.88 - 5.92Optical propertiesBiaxial (-)Refractive indexnα = 2.000 nβ = 2.180 nγ = 2.350Birefringenceδ = 0.350SolubilitySlight in waterReferences[2][3][4]

Tellurite is a rare oxide mineral composed of tellurium dioxide (TeO2).

It occurs as prismatic to acicular transparent yellow to white orthorhombic crystals. It occurs in the oxidation zone of mineral deposits in association with native tellurium, emmonsite and other tellurium minerals. Its name comes from Tellus, which is the Latin name for the planet Earth.[3][4]

It was first described in 1842 because of an occurrence in Faţa Băii, Zlatna, Alba County, Romania.[4]

References

  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ Tellurite in the Handbook of Mineralogy
  3. ^ a b Tellurite data on Webmineral
  4. ^ a b c Tellurite on Mindat.org


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