Another closer view of the Walfordite (0.7 mm)laying on white Alunite. This xx shows an attractive cube modification resembling a sort of papillon shape. Extremely difficult to immortalize without combine ZM, nevertheless it gives a hint of how looks like the single xx. From Wendy pit, Tambo, El Indio deposit, Elqui Province, Coquimbo Region, Chile - Fov: 2x2 mm — Photo: Maurizio Dini · CC BY 3.0
Walfordite
A very rare orange iron tellurite discovered in Chile in 1999.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Walfordite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the oxides & hydroxide class, with the chemical formula (Fe³⁺,Te⁶⁺,Ti⁴⁺,Mg)Te⁴⁺₃O₈.
It crystallizes in the cubic crystal system (space group I2_1/a-3).
Key properties: specific gravity 5.841; Yellow-orange streak; Adamantine luster.
IMA symbol Wfd, IMA status: approved, named in 1996.
Very rare in the brecciated oxidized zone of a tellurium-bearing hydrothermal gold deposit.
It is found associated with Alunite, rodalquilarite, gold, emmonsite, jarosite, pyrite.
The mineral was named to honor Phillip Walford (1945—), Chief Geologist, LAC Minerals Ltd., who noted the first specimens.