Vote for your favorite mineral in #MinCup26! - Azurite vs. Smithsonite
It's carbonate-vs-carbonate to kick off Mineral Cup 2026 with copper-rich Azurite against zinc-rich Smithsonite.
Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic TimeExplore Fossils
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryMineral Visual ExplorerAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral QuizTime Machine
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorPhoto Colour ExplorerNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Chiluite

A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Formula:
Bi3Te6+Mo6+O10.5
Colour:
Yellow
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
3.65
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Named for the type locality, Chilu molybdenum deposit.
This page provides mineralogical data about Chiluite.


Hide all sections | Show all sections

Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
1004
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1004:3

Similar NamesHide

Chileit (of Breithaupt)A synonym of Goethite
ChileiteA synonym of Mottramite
ChioliteA valid IMA mineral species - grandfatheredNa5Al3F14

IMA Classification of ChiluiteHide

Classification of ChiluiteHide

7.BD.55

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
B : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, without H2O
D : With only large cations
7.11.13.1

7 : MULTIPLE OXIDES
11 : Miscellaneous
7.17.4

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
17 : Oxides of Se and Te

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
CilIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of ChiluiteHide

Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Yellow
Hardness:
Hardness:
VHN10=108 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Density:
3.65 g/cm3 (Measured)    3.67 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of ChiluiteHide

Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 2.4(1) nε = 2.3(1)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.100
Based on recorded range of RI values above.

Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.

Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.

Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.

Surface Relief:
Moderate
Anisotropism:
Weak
Bireflectance:
None
Optical Extinction:
Parallel extinction
Reflectivity:
WavelengthR1 (%)R2 (%)
410nm19.45%20.75%
430nm19.25%20.45%
450nm18.80%20.00%
470nm18.40%19.50%
490nm18.00%18.90%
510nm17.75%18.60%
530nm17.50%18.40%
550nm17.25%18.25%
570nm17.00%18.05%
590nm16.75%17.80%
610nm16.65%17.60%
630nm16.50%17.40%
650nm16.45%17.30%
670nm16.30%17.20%
690nm16.15%17.00%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 20.75%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Gray
Internal Reflections:
Gray-brown
Comments:
Negative elongation.

Chemistry of ChiluiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Bi3Te6+Mo6+O10.5
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Bi61.556 %
O16.494 %
Te12.528 %
Mo9.422 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Crystallography of ChiluiteHide

Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.97 Å, c = 12.2 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.36
Unit Cell V:
850.11 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Comment:
Point Group: 622, 6/m, or 6.; Space Group: P6322, P63m, or P63.

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):

Type Occurrence of ChiluiteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
Plumose replacements in joseite inclusions in bismuthinite; as veinlets and as irregular to hexagonal isolated grains isolated in bismuthinite; as a rim on koechlinite, the exterior having a hexagonal outline. Grain size generally 10-20 µm (maximum 42 µm).
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum for Geology, Beijing, China, number M09636.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In quartz veins in a bismuth deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of ChiluiteHide

Other Language Names for ChiluiteHide

Dutch:Chiluiet
German:Chiluit
Simplified Chinese:赤路矿
Spanish:Chiluita
Traditional Chinese:赤路礦

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

7.BD.HasanoviteKNa(MoO2)(SO4)2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
7.BD.Kennygayite[Pb4O2(OH)2](SO4)Tric. 1 : P1
7.BD.AdanitePb2(Te4+O3)(SO4)Mon. 2/m : P21/b
7.BD.CadsulfohiteCd2(SO4)(OH)2Mon. 2/m
7.BD.HybleritePb4Bi2(SO4)2(CO3)O4Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmcm
7.BD.ZanelliitePbCu9[AsO3.5(OH)0.5]2(AsO4)2(OH)9(H2O)3Mon. 2/m : B2/b
7.BD.EvanichitePb6Cr3+(Cr6+O4)2(SO4)(OH)7FClTrig. 3 : P3
7.BD.05SulphohaliteNa6(SO4)2FClIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m
7.BD.10GaleiteNa15(SO4)5F4ClTrig. 3m : P31m
7.BD.10SchaireriteNa21(SO4)7ClF6Trig. 3m : P31m
7.BD.15KogarkoiteNa3(SO4)FMon. 2/m : P21/m
7.BD.20AiolositeNa4Bi(SO4)3ClHex. 6/m : P63/m
7.BD.20CaracoliteNa3Pb2(SO4)3ClMon. 2/m : P21/m
7.BD.20CesaniteNa3Ca2(SO4)3(OH)Hex. 6 : P6
7.BD.25BurkeiteNa6(CO3)(SO4)2Orth.
7.BD.30HanksiteNa22K(SO4)9(CO3)2ClHex. 6/m : P63/m
7.BD.35CannoniteBi2(SO4)O(OH)2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
7.BD.40LanarkitePb2(SO4)OMon. 2/m : B2/m
7.BD.45GrandreefitePb2(SO4)F2Mon. 2/m
7.BD.50ItoitePb3Ge4+(SO4)2O2(OH)2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
7.BD.60HectorfloresiteNa9(SO4)4(IO3)Mon. 2/m : P21/b
7.BD.65PseudograndreefitePb6(SO4)F10Orth. 222 : F222
7.BD.70SundiusitePb10(SO4)O8Cl2Mon.

Other InformationHide

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 ChiluiteHide

References for ChiluiteHide

Localities for ChiluiteHide

Showing 1 localities.

This 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 all sections | Show all sections

Locality ListHide

- 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.
China (TL)
 
  • Fujian
    • Ningde
      • Fu'an Co.
Yang Xiuzhen et al. (1989)
 
and/or  
Mindat.org® is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Mindat® and mindat.org® are registered trademarks of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2026, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau.
Content on this site may not be used to train, fine-tune, or otherwise develop artificial intelligence or machine learning models without prior written permission - see our Terms & Conditions.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: September 1, 2026 12:38:05 Page updated: August 18, 2026 23:44:14
Go to top of page