Tellurite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Tellurite
Formula:
TeO2
Colour:
White to yellow, bright yellow to orange-yellow; nearly colourless in transmitted light
Lustre:
Sub-Adamantine
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
5.88 - 5.92
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named for its tellurium content.
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
This page provides mineralogical data about Tellurite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3905
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3905:1
Similar Names
| Taylorite (of Dana) | A variety of Arcanite | (K,NH4)2SO4 |
| Taylorite (of Knight) | A synonym of 'Bentonite' |
IMA Classification of Tellurite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Te4+O2
First published:
1842
Classification of Tellurite
4.DE.20
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
E : With medium-sized cations; with various polyhedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
E : With medium-sized cations; with various polyhedra
4.4.6.1
4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
4 : AX2
4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
4 : AX2
7.17.2
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
17 : Oxides of Se and Te
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
17 : Oxides of Se and Te
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tlr | 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 Tellurite
Sub-Adamantine
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
White to yellow, bright yellow to orange-yellow; nearly colourless in transmitted light
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Flexible
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {010}.
Perfect on {010}.
Density:
5.88 - 5.92 g/cm3 (Measured) 5.75 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Tellurite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 2.00(5) nβ = 2.18(2) nγ = 2.35(2)
2V:
Measured: 90°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.350
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
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.
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:
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
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
relatively weak, r < v
Chemistry of Tellurite
Mindat Formula:
TeO2
Elements listed:
CAS Registry number:
Crystallography of Tellurite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbca
Setting:
Pbca
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.035(6) Å, b = 5.464(3) Å, c = 5.607(3) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.203 : 1 : 1.026
Unit Cell V:
368.71 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Acicular [001] and thin laths {010}, often striated [001]. Grouped in tufts and in spherical masses with a radiated structure. Powdery coatings.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
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Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0010638 | Tellurite | Beyer H (1967) Verfeinerung der kristallstruktur von tellurit, dem rhomischen TeO2 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 124 228-237 |  | 1967 | Moctezuma, Mexico | 0 | 293 |
| 0018058 | Tellurite | Ito T, Sawada H (1940) The crystal structure of tellurite (Te O2) _cod_database_code 1011183 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 102 13-25 | 1940 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.280 Å | (100) |
| 3.723 Å | (95) |
| 3.008 Å | (50) |
| 2.730 Å | (45) |
| 2.800 Å | (25) |
| 2.298 Å | (25) |
| 1.930 Å | (25) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Tellurite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Tellurite
Other Language Names for Tellurite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 37 photos of Tellurite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 25 photos of Tellurite associated with Paratellurite | TeO2 |
| 22 photos of Tellurite associated with Native Tellurium | Te |
| 18 photos of Tellurite associated with Spiroffite | Mn2+2Te4+3O8 |
| 12 photos of Tellurite associated with Zemannite | Mg0.5ZnFe3+(Te4+O3)3 · 4.5H2O |
| 11 photos of Tellurite associated with Denningite | CaMn2+Te4+4O10 |
| 9 photos of Tellurite associated with Teineite | Cu2+(Te4+O3) · 2H2O |
| 8 photos of Tellurite associated with Native Gold | Au |
| 8 photos of Tellurite associated with Rodalquilarite | Fe2(TeO2OH)3(TeO3)Cl |
| 8 photos of Tellurite associated with Mroseite | CaTe4+(CO3)O2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.DE. | Colchesterite | Bi3+2Mo6+2O9 |
| 4.DE. | Pertoldite | GeO2 |
| 4.DE. | Ziroite | ZrO2 |
| 4.DE.05 | Downeyite | SeO2 |
| 4.DE.10 | Koragoite | (Mn2+,Fe3+)3(Nb,Ta,Ti)2(Nb,Mn)2(W,Ta)2O20 |
| 4.DE.15 | Russellite | Bi2WO6 |
| 4.DE.15 | Koechlinite | Bi2MoO6 |
| 4.DE.15 | Tungstibite | Sb3+2WO6 |
| 4.DE.25 | Paratellurite | TeO2 |
| 4.DE.30 | Bismutotantalite | BiTaO4 |
| 4.DE.30 | Stibiotantalite | Sb3+TaO4 |
| 4.DE.30 | Cervantite | Sb3+Sb5+O4 |
| 4.DE.30 | Bismutocolumbite | BiNbO4 |
| 4.DE.30 | Stibiocolumbite | SbNbO4 |
| 4.DE.30 | Clinocervantite | Sb3+Sb5+O4 |
| 4.DE.35 | Baddeleyite | ZrO2 |
| 4.DE.40 | Billwiseite | Sb3+5Nb3WO18 |
| 4.DE.45 | Kyawthuite | Bi3+Sb5+O4 |
Other Information
Notes:
Very slightly soluble in H2O.
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 Tellurite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3905.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Tellurite
Reference List:
Christy, Andrew G., Mills, Stuart J., Kampf, Anthony R., Housley, Robert M., Thorne, Brent, Marty, Joe (2016) The relationship between mineral composition, crystal structure and paragenetic sequence: the case of secondary Te mineralization at the Bird Nest drift, Otto Mountain, California, USA. Mineralogical Magazine, 80 (2) 291-310 doi:10.1180/minmag.2016.080.001
Localities for Tellurite
Showing 87 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.
Austria | |
| Auer (2019) |
| Auer (2019) |
Canada | |
| Ames et al. (2003) |
| Kjarsgaard et al. (2010, June) |
| Harris et al. (1973) |
Chile | |
| Maurizio Dini collection - analysed with EDX (by Dr. Jochen Schlüter) +1 other reference |
| Back et al. (1999) +1 other reference | |
China | |
| Jiuling Li et al. (2001) |
| Pang et al. (2022) |
| Li et al. (2022) |
| Li et al. (2022) | |
| Li et al. (2019) |
Czech Republic | |
| Vogl (1857) +1 other reference |
France | |
| Laurent (1995) |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
Ghana | |
| Bowell (1992) |
Hungary | |
| |
Japan | |
| YUNINGSIH et al. (2018) |
| 井伊博行 (1991) |
| Ishibashi (1960) +1 other reference | |
| Yosimura (1939) +1 other reference | |
| Ishibashi (1960) |
| Masutomi Museum specimen (Kyoto) +2 other references |
| Yamada (2004) | |
Mexico | |
| J F Carpenter |
| Panczner (1987) +1 other reference |
| Braith et al. (2001) | |
Myanmar | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data |
Poland | |
| Parafiniuk J. (2003) |
Romania (TL) | |
| Dana 4:502 |
| Stephan Wolfsried photo. | |
| Cook et al. (2003) |
| Apopei et al. (2016) |
Russia | |
| Izvekova et al. (2021) |
| Pekov (1998) |
| Kasatkin et al. (2025) |
| Nikolaev et al. (2013) |
| Bortnikov et al. (2023) |
| Anastasiya SERGEEVA (2023) +1 other reference |
| Zhegunov et al. (2025) | |
| Kovalenker et al. (2005) | |
| Strelnikov M. V. et al. (2025) | |
| Pekov et al. (2026) | |
| Dana 7:I:594. |
| Gerasimov et al. (2025) |
| Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
Spain | |
| Ignacio Gaspar Collection |
| Sintes et al. (2025) |
| Analysis performed at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Ignacio Gaspar) | |
| www.foro-minerales.com (n.d.) | |
Thailand | |
| Zaw et al. (2007) |
USA | |
| Graeme (1993) |
| Graeme (1993) +1 other reference | |
| MarekC Collection (2017) |
| Marek Chorazewicz (2021) |
| Dana et al. (1892) |
| Note from mine geologist |
| Dana et al. (1892) |
| Dana 6: 11 +1 other reference |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Dana 7:I:199 |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Dana 7:I:446 +2 other references |
| Carnein et al. (2005) |
| Carnein et al. (2005) | |
| USGS Professional Paper 54 +1 other reference | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Collected by Dan Evanich in 2019. ... | |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Rocks & Minerals. Nov. 1999. | |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Kampf et al. (2022) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Roberts et al. (1965) |
| Chuck Adan Collection +1 other reference |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... | |
| Miyawaki et al. (2019) +1 other reference |
| Coolbaugh et al. (2020) | |
| Thorne (n.d.) |
| SEM EDS confirmed by Rob Bowell. |
| Collected by Carl Ege and in the ... |
Uzbekistan | |
| Evseev (1995) +2 other references |
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Moctezuma Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico