| Tlalocite | |
| Formula: | Cu10Zn6(TeO4)2(TeO3)(OH)25Cl · 25 H2O |
| Imasymbol: | Tia[1] |
| Strunz: | 7.DE.20 |
| Dana: | 33.3.2.1 |
| System: | Orthorhombic Unknown space group |
| Unit Cell: | a = 16.78, b = 19.985 c = 12.069 [Å], Z = 4 |
| Color: | Capri blue, green in transmitted light |
| Habit: | Velvety crusts or spheres, arced bands |
| Fracture: | Sectile, curved shavings or scrapings |
| Tenacity: | Gummy and sectile |
| Mohs: | 1 |
| Streak: | Pale blue |
| Diaphaneity: | Translucent |
| Gravity: | 4.55 (measured)4.58 (calculated) |
| Opticalprop: | Biaxial (-) |
| Birefringence: | δ = 0.052 |
| Pleochroism: | Green, bluish green |
| 2V: | 64 |
| Fluorescence: | none |
| Solubility: | Insoluble |
Tlalocite is a rare and complex tellurate mineral with the formula Cu10Zn6(TeO4)2(TeO3)(OH)25Cl · 27 H2O. It has a Mohs hardness of 1, and a cyan color. It was named after Tlaloc, the Aztec god of rain, in allusion to the high amount of water contained within the crystal structure.[2] [3] It is not to be confused with quetzalcoatlite, which often looks similar in color and habit.
Tlalocite was first identified in the Bambollite mine (La Oriental), Moctezuma, Municipio de Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico and it was approved by the IMA in 1974. It often occurs together with tenorite, azurite, malachite and tlapallite. It is found in partially oxidized portions of tellurium-bearing hydrothermal veins.[4] [5]