Images
Formula: Mn2+2Te4+3O8
Tellurite, spiroffite group,
manganese-bearing mineral
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Specific gravity: 5.01 measured, 5.059 calculated
Hardness: 3½
Streak: White
Colour: Purplish red to pink
Solubility: Readily soluble in hydrochloric acid, insoluble in hot nitric or sulphuric acid
Environments
Spiroffite is a rare secondary mineral found in oxidised,
telluride-bearing rocks (Webmin).
Localities
At the type locality, the Moctezuma Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico, spiroffite is a
very rare mineral in the oxidised zone of a
gold-tellurium deposit in a
quartz matrix. Associated minerals include
tellurium, tellurite,
paratellurite, denningite,
mroseite and zemannite
(AM 47.196, HOM, Dana).
Spiroffite occurs as small, red to purple, translucent to transparent, cleavable masses to 2 cm
(Minrec 55.6.850).
Spiroffite from Moctezuma - Image
At the Joe Mine, Tombstone Mining District, Cochise County, Arizona, USA, spiroffite occurs very rarely in
intensely silicified pyritic shale
(HOM).
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