Outstanding brown microcrystals of Cuzticite, a very rare tellurium mineral from the type locality (Moctezuma Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico). Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cuzticite
Cuzticite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the oxides & hydroxide class, with the chemical formula Fe³⁺₂Te⁶⁺O₆·3H₂O.
It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 3; specific gravity 3.9; optically uniaxial.
IMA symbol Cuz, IMA status: approved, named in 1980.
Very rare in oxidized ore in a matrix of intensely silicified and brecciated rhyolite vitrophyre cemented by drusy quartz and carrying pyrite and tellurides.
It is found associated with Eztlite, emmonsite, schmitterite, kuranakhite, pyrite.
The name comes from the Nahua language for something yellow, in allusion to the color.