Telluromandarinoite is an extremely rare iron tellurite mineral discovered in the oxidized zones of tellurium-bearing ore bodies. It typically forms thin, delicate, transparent pale yellow plates or crusts and is best identified by its association with other rare tellurium secondary minerals.
Is this telluromandarinoite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch telluromandarinoite with a known reference. Telluromandarinoite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy or bladed crystals, crusts.
Often confused with
Telluromandarinoite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Telluromandarinoite leaves white, Mandarinoite leaves very pale green.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Telluromandarinoite leaves white, Emplectite leaves black; luster reads vitreous on Telluromandarinoite and metallic on Emplectite.
Often found alongside telluromandarinoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with telluromandarinoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe₂(TeO₃)₃·6H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 3.372 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy or bladed crystals, crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Of epithermal hydrothermal origin, found in the interstices of silicified dacitic tuff breccia
Where rockhounds find telluromandarinoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Wendy open pit, Tambo mine, El Indio-Tambo mining property, Coquimbo Province, Andes Mountains, Chile
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Of epithermal hydrothermal origin, found in the interstices of silicified dacitic tuff breccia. If you start seeing emmonsite, mackayite, poughite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy or bladed crystals, crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify telluromandarinoite?+
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Is telluromandarinoite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like telluromandarinoite?+
What minerals are found with telluromandarinoite?+
What kind of rock does telluromandarinoite form in?+
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Find telluromandarinoite on the map
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