Tlapallite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Tlapallite
Formula:
(Ca,Pb)3CaCu6[Te4+3Te6+O12]2(Te4+O3)2(SO4)2 · 3H2O
Colour:
Viridian green RHS- I28A
Lustre:
Vitreous, Waxy
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
4.65 - 5.38
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
From Nahua "tlapalli", paint, referring to the occurrence of the mineral as paint-like films on fracture surfaces at the discovery locality.
Formerly reported formula: H6(Ca,Pb)2(Cu,Zn)3(TeO3)4(TeO6)(SO4).
The second mixed-valence tellurium oxysalt mineral to have its crystal structure determined, after carlfriesite. In addition, tlapallite contains a new phyllotellurate anion.
The second mixed-valence tellurium oxysalt mineral to have its crystal structure determined, after carlfriesite. In addition, tlapallite contains a new phyllotellurate anion.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3983
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3983:9
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
636f9b28-9414-45c4-8c1f-1e521821b05c
IMA Classification of Tlapallite
Approved
Approval year:
1977
First published:
1978
Classification of Tlapallite
4.JL.25
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
L : Tellurites with additional anions, without H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
L : Tellurites with additional anions, without H2O
34.8.2.1
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
8 : Compound Selenites, Tellurites and Sulfites
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
8 : Compound Selenites, Tellurites and Sulfites
28.4.13
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tpl | 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 Tlapallite
Vitreous, Waxy
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Viridian green RHS- I28A
Streak:
Pale green
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Density:
4.65 - 5.38 g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Tlapallite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.815 - 1.915 nβ = 1.960 - 2.115 nγ = 1.960 - 2.115
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.145 - 0.200
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:
Shades of bottle green.
Comments:
Absorption: Z = Y > X.
Chemistry of Tlapallite
Mindat Formula:
(Ca,Pb)3CaCu6[Te4+3Te6+O12]2(Te4+O3)2(SO4)2 · 3H2O
Crystallography of Tlapallite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3 2 - Trapezohedral
Space Group:
P3 2 1
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.1219(17) Å, c = 11.9320(9) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.308
Unit Cell V:
859.83 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Sheaves of radially arranged scales normal to the surface of botryoidal material.
Comment:
Well-crystallised tlapallite at the Wildcat prospect, Utah, USA.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 11.97 Å | (100) |
| 2.985 Å | (100) |
| 3.540 Å | (60) |
| 5.946 Å | (50) |
| 2.887 Å | (50) |
| 4.731 Å | (40) |
| 3.732 Å | (40) |
| 3.282 Å | (40) |
| 2.663 Å | (40) |
| 2.624 Å | (40) |
Comments:
Bambollita mine, Mexico. Data from the type description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] |
Type Occurrence of Tlapallite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Occurs as a thin paint-like film on the rock fracture surfaces in and adjacent to thin veins cutting intensely sericitized rhyolites.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, London, England.
University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, number 119092.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, number 144519.
University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, number 119092.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, number 144519.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Secondary mineral in a tellurium deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Williams, S.A., Duggan, M. (1978) Tlapallite, a new mineral from Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico, Mineralogical Magazine: 42: 181-186.
Synonyms of Tlapallite
Other Language Names for Tlapallite
German:Tlapallit
Spanish:Tlapallita
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 8 photos of Tlapallite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 5 photos of Tlapallite associated with Goldfieldite | (Cu4◻2)(Cu4Cu+2)Te4S12S |
| 3 photos of Tlapallite associated with Carlfriesite | CaTe4+2Te6+O8 |
| 3 photos of Tlapallite associated with Stützite | Ag5-xTe3, x = 0.24-0.36 |
| 3 photos of Tlapallite associated with Tlalocite | Cu10Zn6(Te6+O4)2(Te4+O3)(OH)25Cl · 27H2O |
| 1 photo of Tlapallite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| 1 photo of Tlapallite associated with Poughite | Fe3+2(TeO3)2(SO4)(H2O)2 · H2O |
| 1 photo of Tlapallite associated with Quetzalcoatlite | Zn6Cu3(TeO6)2(OH)6 · AgxPbyClx+2y |
| 1 photo of Tlapallite associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JL. | Tomiolloite | Al12(Te4+O3)5[(SO3)0.5(SO4)0.5](OH)24 |
| 4.JL.05 | Rodalquilarite | Fe2(TeO2OH)3(TeO3)Cl |
| 4.JL.10 | Mackayite | Fe3+(Te4+2O5)(OH) |
| 4.JL.15 | Mroseite | CaTe4+(CO3)O2 |
| 4.JL.20 | Pingguite | Bi6Te2O15 |
| 4.JL.30 | Girdite | H2Pb3(Te4+O3)(Te6+O6) |
| 4.JL.40 | Bodieite | Bi2(TeO3)2(SO4) |
Fluorescence of Tlapallite
None
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Fuses readily to a yellow-brown slag in the Penfield tube, slowly evolving a white sublimate of TeO2.
Notes:
Easily soluble in cold 1:1 HCl. Slowly soluble in 1:1 HNO3 unless heated. Unaffected by cold KOH (20%) but decomposes readily upon heating.
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 Tlapallite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3983.html
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References for Tlapallite
Reference List:
Localities for Tlapallite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The 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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Mexico (TL) | |
| Williams et al. (1978) |
| M. Kampf collection | |
USA | |
| Williams et al. (1978) +1 other reference |
| Anthony et al. (1995) | |
| American Mineralogist |
| MarekC collection |
| Marek Chorazewicz (2024) |
| Collected by Bob Housley and Raman ... |
| Kampf et al. (2022) | |
| Missen et al. (2019) |
| Collected and analyzed by Joy Desor. |
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Bambollita Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico