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

Bambollaite

A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
01380060017549766979848.jpg
Bambollaite, etc.

Moctezuma Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico
08102710017549766972554.jpg
Bambollaite, etc.

Moctezuma Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico
06901790017483257347779.jpg
Bambollaite, etc.

San Miguel Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico
06555650017528723775673.jpg
Bambollaite, etc.

Moctezuma Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico
05504170017528723514442.jpg
Bambollaite, etc.

Moctezuma Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico
06434420017453150816574.jpg
Bambollaite, etc.

San Miguel Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico
07419360017529979341011.jpg
Bambollaite, etc.

Moctezuma Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico
01579150017529979349360.jpg
Bambollaite, etc.

Moctezuma Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico
Hide all sections | Show all sections

About BambollaiteHide

Formula:
Cu(Se,Te)2
Colour:
Brownish-grey
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
5.02 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
For the type locality. (nickname "La Bambolla" - hot air - in allusion to supposed rich gold ores in the mine.)
This page provides mineralogical data about Bambollaite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
502
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:502:9

IMA Classification of BambollaiteHide

Classification of BambollaiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
2.EB.05b

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
E : Metal Sulfides, M: S <= 1:2
B : M:S = 1:2, with Fe, Co, Ni, PGE, etc.
Dana 8th ed.:
2.12.9.1

2 : SULFIDES
12 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:2
Hey's CIM Ref.:
3.1.19

3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
1 : Sulphides etc. of Cu

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

Pronunciation of BambollaiteHide

Pronunciation:
PlayRecorded byCountry
Jolyon RalphUnited Kingdom

Physical Properties of BambollaiteHide

Lustre:
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Brownish-grey
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
5.02 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of BambollaiteHide

Anisotropism:
Slight
Colour in reflected light:
Creamy white

Chemistry of BambollaiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Cu(Se,Te)2
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Se71.307 %
Cu28.693 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Elements listed:
Cu, Se, Te - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of BambollaiteHide

Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.466 Å, c = 5.632 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.03
Unit Cell V:
168.27 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Fine granular, intimately intergrown with klockmannite.
Comment:
sp. gr. P42/n or I41/amd

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
3.19 Å(100)
1.961 Å(70)
1.931 Å(40)
1.689 Å(30)
1.653 Å(50)
1.270 Å(20)
1.121 Å(20)
Comments:
Moctezuma mine, Mexico.

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Near-surface Processes
23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates]

Type Occurrence of BambollaiteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Moctezuma Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico
General Appearance of Type Material:
Fine granular aggregates and lenses, intimately intermixed with klockmannite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada, M27177; National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 128391.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidized gold tellurium ore.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
CalciteChalcomenite'Illite'KlockmanniteParatellurite
QuartzNative SeleniumTelluriteNative Tellurium
Reference:
Harris, D.C., Nuffield, E.W. (1972) Bambollaite, a new copper telluro-selenide. The Canadian Mineralogist: 11: 738-742.

Synonyms of BambollaiteHide

Other Language Names for BambollaiteHide

Relationship of Bambollaite to other SpeciesHide

Structurally related to group(s):
Pyrite GroupAX2

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
8 photos of Bambollaite associated with Native TelluriumTe
6 photos of Bambollaite associated with Native GoldAu
4 photos of Bambollaite associated with RickarditeCu7Te5
4 photos of Bambollaite associated with Native SeleniumSe
2 photos of Bambollaite associated with QuartzSiO2
2 photos of Bambollaite associated with TelluriteTeO2

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

2.EB.SelenolauriteRuSe2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.AndrieslombaarditeRhSbSIso. 23 : P213
2.EB.Iridarsenite(Ir,Ru)As2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.EB.Kanatzidisite(SbBiS3)2Te2Mon. 2/m : P21/m
2.EB.05aVaesiteNiS2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aHaueriteMnS2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aLauriteRuS2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aGaotaiiteIr3Te8Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aPenroseite(Ni,Co,Cu)Se2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aFukuchiliteCu3FeS8Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aVillamanínite(Cu,Ni,Co,Fe)S2Tric.
2.EB.05aErlichmaniteOsS2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aSperrylitePtAs2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aGeversitePtSb2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aCattieriteCoS2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aAurostibiteAuSb2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aTrogtaliteCoSe2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05a v'Cayeuxite'
2.EB.05aKruťaiteCuSe2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aPyriteFeS2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aInsizwaitePtBi2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aDzharkeniteFeSe2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.10aMarcasiteFeS2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.10eParacostibiteCoSbSOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca
2.EB.10fOeniteCoSbAsOrth.
2.EB.10ePararammelsbergiteNiAs2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca
2.EB.10aMattagamiteCoTe2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.10aFrohbergiteFeTe2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.10dCostibiteCoSbSOrth. mm2 : Pmn21
2.EB.10bAlloclasiteCo1-xFexAsSMon. 2 : P21
2.EB.10cGlaucodot(Co0.50Fe0.50)AsSOrth. mm2 : Pmn21
2.EB.10aPetříčekiteCuSe2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.10aKulleruditeNiSe2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.10aFerroseliteFeSe2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.15bSeinäjokiteFeSb2Orth.
2.EB.15aRammelsbergiteNiAs2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.15aClinosaffloriteCoAs2Mon. 2/m : P21/m
2.EB.15cPaxiteCuAs2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.EB.15aNisbiteNiSb2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.15aLöllingiteFeAs2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.15aSafflorite(Co,Ni,Fe)As2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.15aOmeiiteOsAs2Orth.
2.EB.15aAnduoiteRuAs2Orth.
2.EB.20ArsenopyriteFeAsSMon. 2/m : P21/b
2.EB.20Ruarsite(Ru,Os)AsSMon.
2.EB.20Osarsite(Os,Ru)AsSMon.
2.EB.20GudmunditeFeSbSMon. 2/m : P21/b
2.EB.25MayingiteIrBiTeIso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.25MaslovitePtBiTeIso. 23 : P213
2.EB.25ParagersdorffiteNi(As,S)2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.25OrthogersdorffiteNiAsSOrth. mm2 : Pca21
2.EB.25SulfopadmaitePdBiSIso. 23 : P213
2.EB.25JolliffeiteNiAsSeIso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.25CobaltiteCoAsSOrth. mm2 : Pca21
2.EB.25GuixiangiteNiBiSIso. 23 : P213
2.EB.25TestibiopalladitePdSbTeIso.
2.EB.25 va'Antimony-bearing Gersdorffite'Ni(As,Sb)S
2.EB.25KalungaitePdAsSeIso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.25Hollingworthite(Rh,Pt,Pd)AsSIso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.25MicheneritePdBiTeIso. 23 : P213
2.EB.25GersdorffiteNiAsSIso. 23 : P213
2.EB.25MilotaitePdSbSeIso. 23 : P213
2.EB.25TolovkiteIrSbSIso.
2.EB.25'Platarsite'Pt(As,S)2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.25WillyamiteCoSbS
2.EB.25ChangchengiteIrBiSIso. 23 : P213
2.EB.25KvačekiteNiSbSeIso. 23 : P213
2.EB.25KrutoviteNiAs2Iso. 23 : P213
2.EB.25PadmaitePdBiSeIso. 432
2.EB.25UllmanniteNiSbSIso. 23 : P213
2.EB.25Irarsite(Ir,Ru,Rh,Pt)AsSIso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.30UrvantsevitePd(Bi,Pb)2Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4/mmm
2.EB.35RheniiteReS2Tric. 1 : P1

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 BambollaiteHide

References for BambollaiteHide

Localities for BambollaiteHide

Showing 5 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.
Mexico
 
  • Sonora
    • Moctezuma Municipality
      • Moctezuma
Harris et al. (1972) +2 other references
Braith et al. (2001)
Russia
 
  • Kamchatka Krai
    • Koryak Okrug
      • Karaginsky District
Kudaeva et al. (2024)
Pekov et al. (2026)
Quick NavTopAbout BambollaiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPronunciation Physical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
 
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 23:01:40 Page updated: August 18, 2026 22:24:10
Go to top of page