Tlapallite Locality: Bambollita mine (La Oriental), Moctezuma, Municipio de Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico Image width: 29 mm Collection and photograph by Matthijs Hellinghuizen — Photo: Ceasars Salad · CC BY-SA 4.0
Tlapallite
A rare green calcium-copper tellurate of mixed Te⁴⁺/Te⁶⁺ states.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Tlapallite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfate class, with the chemical formula H₆(Ca,Pb)₂(Cu,Zn)₃O₂(SO₄)(Te⁴⁺O₃)₄(Te⁶⁺O₄).
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 3; specific gravity 5.38; Pale green streak; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Tpl, IMA status: approved, named in 1977.
Very rare in partially oxidized portions of a tellurium-bearing polymetallic hydrothermal sulfide deposit (Moctezuma mine, Mexico); an alteration product of tellurides in calcsilicate tactite (Tombstone, Arizona).
It is found associated with Carlfriesite, calcite, barite, muscovite, quartz (Moctezuma mine, Mexico).
The name comes from the Nahua language for paint, in allusion to the typical habit as films as though painted on rock.