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
IMA Classification of Tlapallite
Approved
IMA Formula:
(Ca,Pb2+)3CaCu2+6[Te4+3Te6+O12]2(Te4+O3)2(S6+O4)2·3H2O
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| 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 = 1.96 - 2.115 nγ = 1.96 - 2.115
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.145 - 0.200
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.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (-0°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
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.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (-0°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
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
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Tlapallite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
32 - Trapezohedral
Space Group:
P321
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:
Synonyms of Tlapallite
Other Language Names for Tlapallite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 9 photos of Tlapallite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 5 photos of Tlapallite associated with Goldfieldite | (Cu4◻2)(Cu4Cu+2)Te4S12S |
| 4 photos of Tlapallite associated with Stützite | Ag5-xTe3, x = 0.24-0.36 |
| 4 photos of Tlapallite associated with Tlalocite | Cu10Zn6(Te6+O4)2(Te4+O3)(OH)25Cl · 27H2O |
| 3 photos of Tlapallite associated with Quetzalcoatlite | Zn6Cu3(TeO6)2(OH)6 · AgxPbyClx+2y |
| 3 photos of Tlapallite associated with Carlfriesite | CaTe4+2Te6+O8 |
| 2 photos of Tlapallite associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 1 photo of Tlapallite associated with Rozhdestvenskayaite-(Zn) | Ag6(Ag4Zn2)Sb4S12S |
| 1 photo of Tlapallite associated with Aktashite | Cu6Hg3As4S12 |
| 1 photo of Tlapallite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JL. | Chorążewiczite | Pb2Fe3+(Te6+O6)(HCO3) |
| 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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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Tlapallite
Reference List:
Williams, S. A., Duggan, Marjorie (1978) Tlapallite, a new mineral from Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico. Mineralogical Magazine, 42 (322) 183-186 doi:10.1180/minmag.1978.042.322.03
Fleischer, Michael, Chao, George Y., Pabst, and Adolf (1979) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 64 (3-4) 464-467
Missen, Owen P., Kampf, Anthony R., Mills, Stuart J., Housley, Robert M., Spratt, John, Welch, Mark D., Coolbaugh, Mark F., Marty, Joe, Chorazewicz, Marek, Ferraris, Cristiano (2019) The crystal structures of the mixed-valence tellurium oxysalts tlapallite, (Ca,Pb)3CaCu6[Te4+3Te6+O12]2(Te4+O3)2(SO4)2·3H2O, and carlfriesite, CaTe4+2Te6+O8. Mineralogical Magazine, 83 (4) 539-549 doi:10.1180/mgm.2019.9
Localities for Tlapallite
Showing 13 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 et al. (1978) |
| M Kampf collection | |
Russia | |
| Pekov et al. (2026) |
USA | |
| Williams et al. (1978) +1 other reference |
| Anthony et al. (1995) | |
| Carnegie Museum of Natural History ... |
| American Mineralogist | |
| MarekC Collection (2017) |
| Marek Chorazewicz (2024) |
| Collected by Bob Housley and Raman ... |
| Kampf et al. (2022) | |
| Collected and analyzed by Joy Desor. |
| Missen et al. (2019) |
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Moctezuma Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico