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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).
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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