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. Telluromandarinoite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Telluromandarinoite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale yellow, yellow-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 — Telluromandarinoite leaves white, Mandarinoite leaves pale yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Telluromandarinoite leaves white, Emplectite leaves lead-gray; 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
- Fe₂³⁺(TeO₃)₃·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 4.2 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy or Bladed Crystals, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Tellurium-rich Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find telluromandarinoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico
- Goldfield, Nevada, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal tellurium-rich ore deposits country — that is the host setting where telluromandarinoite typically forms. If you start seeing tellurite, paratellurite, mandarinoite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy or bladed crystals, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find telluromandarinoite on the map
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