Tlapallite is a rare secondary tellurium mineral typically found as small, vibrant yellow to greenish-yellow crusts or powdery coatings. It is primarily associated with oxidized telluride ore deposits, where it forms in the transition zones of weathered mineral veins.
Is this tlapallite?
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 tlapallite with a known reference. Tlapallite sits at Mohs 1-2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Tlapallite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Tlapallite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, greenish-yellow, apple-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: crusts, powdery coatings, tiny rosettes.
Often confused with
Tlapallite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Denningite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3 vs. 1-2); streak differs — Tlapallite leaves yellow, Denningite leaves white; luster reads resinous on Tlapallite and vitreous on Denningite.
How to tell apart: Zemannite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3 vs. 1-2); luster reads resinous on Tlapallite and vitreous on Zemannite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Tlapallite leaves yellow, Teineite leaves pale blue; luster reads resinous on Tlapallite and vitreous on Teineite.
Often found alongside tlapallite
Minerals reported to co-occur with tlapallite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- H₆Ca₂Cu₃(TeO₃)₄(TeO₄)(SO₄)·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 1-2
- Density
- 4.1 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Crusts, Powdery Coatings, Tiny Rosettes
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Tellurium-rich Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on quality and size
Where rockhounds find tlapallite
Classic worldwide localities
- Moctezuma Mine, Sonora, Mexico
- Tombstone, Arizona, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal tellurium-rich ore deposits country — that is the host setting where tlapallite typically forms. If you start seeing tellurite, emmonsite, paratellurite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a crusts, powdery coatings, tiny rosettes habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find tlapallite on the map
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