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Formula: CaTe4+O2(CO3)
Compound tellurite
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Specific gravity: 4.35 measured, 4.171 calculated
Hardness: 4
Streak: White
Colour: Colourless to white
Solubility: Effervesces in cold, dilute hydrochloric acid
Environments
Mroseite occurs as a secondary mineral in
telluride-bearing veins (Webmin).
Tellurium forms Te2O4 groups with the oxygens that are
not bonded to carbon. These Te2O4 groups consist of two TeO3 pyramids with a common
O-O edge. It is the TeO3 groups that make the mineral a tellurite
(CM 13.383-387).
Localities
At the type locality, the Moctezuma Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico, mroseite is a very
rare mineral in a hydrothermal
gold-tellurium deposit. Associated
minerals include spiroffite,
tellurium, tellurite,
denningite, zemannite and
quartz
(AM 60.946, HOM, Mindat).
At the T.E.I. pit, Cochise County, Arizona, USA, mroseite is associated with "oboyerite" (a mixture of
ottoite and plumbotellurite),
choloalite and gold
(HOM).
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