Mroseite

mroseite

spiroffite

denningite

zemannite

Images

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

Hydrothermal 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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