Rodalquilarite

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Rodalquilarite
Rodalquilarite-130813.jpg
Rodalquilarite crystals from a cavity in alunite
General
CategoryTellurite mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
H3Fe3+2(Te4+O3)4Cl
IMA symbol Raq [1]
Strunz classification 4.JL.05
Crystal system Triclinic
Crystal class Pinacoidal (1)
(same H-M symbol)
Space group P1
Unit cell a = 8.95  Å, b = 5.09 Å
c = 6.63 Å; α = 103.17°
β = 107.08°, γ = 77.87°; Z = 1
Identification
ColorEmerald- to grass-green
Crystal habit Crusts of stout crystals
Cleavage One good cleavage plane
Tenacity Very brittle
Mohs scale hardness2 - 3
Luster Greasy
Streak Greenish yellow
Diaphaneity Semitransparent
Specific gravity 4.97 - 5.15
Optical propertiesBiaxial (-)
Refractive index nα = 2.100 nγ = 2.200
Birefringence δ = 0.100
2V angle 38°
References [2] [3] [4]

Rodalquilarite is a rare iron tellurite chloride mineral with formula H3Fe3+2(Te4+O3)4Cl [2] or Fe2(TeO2OH)3(TeO3)Cl. [3] Rodalquilarite crystallizes in the triclinic system and typically occurs as stout green prisms and encrustations.

Discovery and occurrence

Green rodalquilarite crystals in a vug in pink alunite from Chile Alunite-Rodalquilarite-chl03b.jpg
Green rodalquilarite crystals in a vug in pink alunite from Chile

Rodalquilarite was first described in 1968 for an occurrence in the Rodalquilar gold deposit of Almeria, Spain and was named for the discovery locality. It has also been reported from the Wendy open pit mine, El Indio-Tambo district, Coquimbo Region of Chile and the mines of Tombstone, Arizona. [2] It is found in the oxidized zone of tellurium-bearing gold deposits. It occurs associated with emmonsite, native gold, alunite, jarosite, quartz, native tellurium, mackayite and sonoraite. [2]

Related Research Articles

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2−x
Te
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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Native metal</span> Form of metal

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tlapallite</span> Rare and complex tellurate mineral

Tlapallite is a rare and complex tellurate mineral with the chemical formula (Ca,Pb)3CaCu6[Te4+3Te6+O12]2(Te4+O3)2(SO4)2·3H2O. It has a Moh's hardness of 3 and it is green in colour. It was named after the Nahua word "Tlalpalli", which translates to paint, referring to the paint-like habit of the mineral. Its formula and crystal structure were redefined in 2019, showing it contained a mixed-valence phyllotellurate layer [Te4+3Te6+O12]12−.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlfriesite</span> Tellurium mineral

Carlfriesite is a rare tellurium mineral with the formula CaTe4+2Te6+O8, or more simplified: CaTe3O8. It has a Moh's hardness of 3.5 and it occurs in various shades of yellow, ranging from bright yellow to a light buttery color. It was named after Carl Fries Jr. (1910–1965) from the U.S. Geological Survey and the Geological Institute of the National University, Mexico City, Mexico. It was previously thought to have the formula H4Ca(TeO3)3, but this was proven to be incorrect. It has no uses beyond being a collector's item.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tlalocite</span> Rare and complex tellurate mineral

Tlalocite is a rare and complex tellurate mineral with the formula Cu10Zn6(TeO4)2(TeO3)(OH)25Cl · 27 H2O. It has a Mohs hardness of 1, and a cyan color. It was named after Tlaloc, the Aztec god of rain, in allusion to the high amount of water contained within the crystal structure. It is not to be confused with quetzalcoatlite, which often looks similar in color and habit.

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Quetzalcoatlite is a rare tellurium oxysalt mineral with the formula Zn6Cu3(TeO6)2(OH)6 · AgxPbyClx+2y. It also contains large amounts of silver- and lead(II)chloride with the formula AgxPbyClx+2y (x+y≤2). It has a Mohs hardness of 3 and it crystallizes in the trigonal system. It has a deep blue color. It was named after Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec and Toltec god of the sea, alluding to its color. It is not to be confused with tlalocite, which has a similar color and habit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teineite</span> Tellurite mineral

Teineite is a tellurite mineral with the formula Cu(TeO3). 2 H2O. It has a Mohs hardness of 2.5 and it comes in many different shades of blue, ranging from cerulean blue to bluish-gray. The mineral millsite has the same chemical composition, but crystallizes in the monoclinic system, while teineite crystallizes in the orthorhombic system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frohbergite</span> Mineral of the simple telluride class

Frohbergite (German: Frohbergit, title by proper name: Max Hans Frohberg), also iron telluride is a rare hydrothermal mineral from the sulfide class, in composition — iron telluride with the ideal formula FeTe2 (contains 82.05% tellurium and 17.95% iron).

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. 1 2 3 4 Rodalquilarite in the Handbook of Mineralogy
  3. 1 2 Rodalquilarite on Mindat.org
  4. Rodalquilarite data on Webmineral