Tamboite
A valid IMA mineral species
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Formula:
Fe3+3(OH)(H2O)2(SO4)(Te4+O3)3(Te4+O(OH)2)(H2O)3
Colour:
pale yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous, Greasy
Specific Gravity:
3.648 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named for the Tambo Mine, Chile, where it was discovered.
Closely related to metatamboite, which is a monohydrate equivalent of tamboite; chemically somewhat similar to poughite. The hydroxytellurate group in tamboite and metatamboite seems to be unique among minerals. Visually indistinguishable from metatamboite. Transition of a crystal of metatamboite to tamboite (in summer; lab Temperature 21C; relative humidity ~50%) and from tamboite to metatamboite (in winter; lab temperature 21C; relative humidity ,20%); this change is completely reversible at room temperature in response to changes in relative humidity.
The structure is determined.
The structure is determined.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
50355
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:50355:8
Similar Names
IMA Classification of Tamboite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Fe3+3(OH)(H2O)2(SO4)(Te4+O3)3[Te4+O(OH)2](H2O)3
Approval year:
2016
First published:
2019
Classification of Tamboite
4.JN.40
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
N : Tellurites with additional anions, with H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
N : Tellurites with additional anions, with H2O
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tmb | 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 Tamboite
Vitreous, Greasy
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Pale yellow
Streak:
Very pale yellow to colorless
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Splintery
Density:
3.648 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Tamboite
Type:
Biaxial
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
colorless to very pale yellow,
Comments:
Average indices of refraction calculated using the Gladstone-Dale relation is 1.874
Chemistry of Tamboite
Mindat Formula:
Fe3+3(OH)(H2O)2(SO4)(Te4+O3)3(Te4+O(OH)2)(H2O)3
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Tamboite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 16.979(1) Å, b = 7.310(4) Å, c = 16.666(9) Å
β = 108.86(1)°
β = 108.86(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.323 : 1 : 2.28
Unit Cell V:
1,957.47 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 16.07 Å | (100) |
| 8.205 Å | (4) |
| 4.267 Å | (3) |
| 4.153 Å | (4) |
| 3.943 Å | (4) |
| 3.425 Å | (9) |
| 3.171 Å | (6) |
| 2.999 Å | (8) |
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 Tamboite
General Appearance of Type Material:
radiating fiber bundles on the surface of a compact
aggregate of silicified tuff.
aggregate of silicified tuff.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogical collections of the Department of Natural History, Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queens Park, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2C6, Canada (catalogue number M57171)
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidation zone of epithermal veins.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Tamboite
Other Language Names for Tamboite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JN. | Tombstoneite | (Ca0.5Pb0.5)Pb3Cu2+6Te6+2O6(Te4+O3)6(Se4+O3)2(SO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 4.JN. | Ozernovskite | Fe3+4(Te4+O4)(Te4+O3)4 · 7H2O |
| 4.JN. | Shenganfuite | PbTe4+3O5(OH)Cl3(H2O) |
| 4.JN.05 | Sonoraite | Fe3+(TeO3)(OH) · H2O |
| 4.JN.10 | Poughite | Fe3+2(TeO3)2(SO4)(H2O)2 · H2O |
| 4.JN.15 | Cesbronite | Cu2+3Te6+O4(OH)4 |
| 4.JN.20 | Eztlite | Pb2+2Fe3+3(Te4+ O3)3(SO4)O2Cl |
| 4.JN.30 | Juabite | CaCu10(TeO3)4(AsO4)4(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 4.JN.35 | Eurekadumpite | (Cu,Zn)16(TeO3)2(AsO4)3Cl(OH)18 · 7H2O |
| 4.JN.40 | Metatamboite | Fe3+3(OH)(H2O)2(SO4)(Te4+O3)3(Te4+O(OH)2)(H2O) |
Other Information
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 Tamboite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-50355.html
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References for Tamboite
Localities for Tamboite
Showing 2 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.
Chile (TL) | |
| Hålenius et al. (2016) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Pekov et al. (2026) |
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