Choloalite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Choloalite
Formula:
(Cu,Sb)3(Pb,Ca)3(TeO3)6Cl
The ideal formula is likely CuPbTe4+2O6 as suggested by Powell et al. (1994).
Colour:
Forest green (RHS 136A)
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
6.4
Crystal System:
Isometric
Name:
The name choloalite derives from the Nahua (indigenous people of Mexico and El Salvador) word choloa, meaning evasive, in allusion to the fact that the mineral escaped detection for many years.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1026
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1026:5
IMA Classification of Choloalite
Approved
IMA Formula:
(Pb2+,Ca)3(Cu2+,Sb5+)3Te4+6O18Cl
Approval year:
1980
First published:
1981
Classification of Choloalite
4.JK.45
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
K : Tellurites without 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
K : Tellurites without additional anions, without H2O
Dana 7th ed.:
34.1.5.1
34.2.4.1
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
2 : A(XO3)·xH2O
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
2 : A(XO3)·xH2O
28.3.15
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
3 : Tellurites
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
3 : Tellurites
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Cho | 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 Choloalite
Adamantine
Colour:
Forest green (RHS 136A)
Comment:
Deep green in thin section.
Streak:
Pale green (RHS 136C)
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
6.4(1) g/cm3 (Measured) 6.41 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Choloalite
Type:
Isotropic
RI values:
n = 2.04
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Comments:
Some crystals show sectoring and anomalous birefringence up to 0.011.
Chemistry of Choloalite
Mindat Formula:
(Cu,Sb)3(Pb,Ca)3(TeO3)6Cl
The ideal formula is likely CuPbTe4+2O6 as suggested by Powell et al. (1994).
The ideal formula is likely CuPbTe4+2O6 as suggested by Powell et al. (1994).
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Choloalite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
432 - Gyroidal
Space Group:
P4132
Setting:
P4132
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.520(4) Å
Unit Cell V:
1963 ų
Z:
4
Morphology:
Octahedral crystals.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005603 | Choloalite | Lam A E, Groat L A, Grice J D, Ercit T S (1999) The crystal structure of choloalite The Canadian Mineralogist 37 721-729 |  | 1999 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.223 Å | (50) |
| 4.170 Å | (20) |
| 3.614 Å | (30) |
| 3.472 Å | (40) |
| 3.343 Å | (60) |
| 3.036 Å | (100) |
| 2.952 Å | (30) |
| 2.454 Å | (50) |
Comments:
Data from type description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
| 47g : [Halogen-bearing surface weathering minerals] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Choloalite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Green octahedral crystals to 2 mm in size.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom.
Muséum Nationale d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France (type).
Muséum Nationale d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France (type).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Tellurium deposit in intensely sericitized rhyolite vitrophyre.
Synonyms of Choloalite
Other Language Names for Choloalite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 8 photos of Choloalite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 5 photos of Choloalite associated with Keystoneite | Mg0.5Ni2+Fe3+(Te4+O3)3 · 4.5H2O |
| 3 photos of Choloalite associated with Adanite | Pb2(Te4+O3)(SO4) |
| 1 photo of Choloalite associated with Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| 1 photo of Choloalite associated with Graemite | Cu[TeO3] · H2O |
| 1 photo of Choloalite associated with Hessite | Ag2Te |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JK. | Matthiasweilite | PbTe4+O3 |
| 4.JK.05 | Walfordite | (Fe3+,Te6+)Te4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.05 | Winstanleyite | TiTe4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.10 | Zincospiroffite | Zn2Te4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.10 | Spiroffite | Mn2+2Te4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.15 | Balyakinite | Cu(TeO3) |
| 4.JK.20 | Rajite | Cu(Te4+2O5) |
| 4.JK.25 | Carlfriesite | CaTe4+2Te6+O8 |
| 4.JK.30 | Chenzhangruite | MnFe2+Te4+4O10 |
| 4.JK.30 | Stankeithite | Mn2+Mn2+Te4+4 O10 |
| 4.JK.30 | Paulhlavaite | CaCuTe4+ 4O10 |
| 4.JK.30 | Denningite | CaMn2+Te4+4O10 |
| 4.JK.35 | Chekhovichite | Bi2Te4+4O11 |
| 4.JK.40 | Smirnite | Bi2Te4+O5 |
| 4.JK.50 | Fairbankite | Pb2+12(Te4+O3)11(SO4) |
| 4.JK.55 | Plumbotellurite | Pb(TeO3) |
| 4.JK.60 | Magnolite | [Hg2]2+[Te4+O3] |
| 4.JK.65 | Moctezumite | Pb(UO2)(TeO3)2 |
| 4.JK.70 | Schmitterite | (UO2)(TeO3) |
| 4.JK.75 | Cliffordite | (UO2)Te4+3O7 |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Fuses with ease (F = 2) to a runny brown glass.
Notes:
Soluble in cold dilute nitric or hydrochloric acid.
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 Choloalite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1026.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Choloalite
Localities for Choloalite
Showing 11 localities.
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 (1981) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Kasatkin et al. (2022) |
USA | |
| Williams (1981) +1 other reference |
| Favreau (n.d.) |
| Anthony et al. (1995) | |
| Marek Chorazewicz (2026) |
| Roberts et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
| Kampf et al. (2022) |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... |
Quick NavTopAbout CholoaliteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Moctezuma Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico