Xocomecatlite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Xocomecatlite
Formula:
Cu3(TeO4)(OH)4
Colour:
emerald-green
Hardness:
4
Specific Gravity:
4.65
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
From Nahua "xocomecatl", grapes, alluding to its occurrence in clusters of green spherules.
This page provides mineralogical data about Xocomecatlite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4342
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4342:3
IMA Classification of Xocomecatlite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Cu2+3Te6+O4(OH)4
Approval year:
1974
First published:
1975
Classification of Xocomecatlite
7.BB.50
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
B : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, without H2O
B : With medium-sized cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
B : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, without H2O
B : With medium-sized cations
Dana 7th ed.:
33.1.2.1
33.1.2.1
33 : SELENATES AND TELLURATES
1 : (AB)m(XO4)pZq
33 : SELENATES AND TELLURATES
1 : (AB)m(XO4)pZq
28.4.1
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
4 : Tellurates
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
4 : Tellurates
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Xco | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Xocomecatlite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Emerald-green
Streak:
Light green to white
Hardness:
4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Density:
4.65(1) g/cm3 (Measured) 4.42 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Xocomecatlite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.775(5) nβ = 1.900(5) nγ = 1.920(5)
2V:
Measured: 41° , Calculated: 41°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.145
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
low
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
rich bluish greens
Chemistry of Xocomecatlite
Mindat Formula:
Cu3(TeO4)(OH)4
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Xocomecatlite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.140(60) Å, b = 14.318(100) Å, c = 11.662(60) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.848 : 1 : 0.814
Unit Cell V:
2,027.09 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
12
Comment:
Point Group: n.d.; Space Group: n.d.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.627 Å | (10) |
| 2.673 Å | (6) |
| 3.439 Å | (4) |
| 3.099 Å | (4) |
| 2.434 Å | (4b) |
| 3.320 Å | (3) |
| 2.831 Å | (3) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Xocomecatlite
General Appearance of Type Material:
isolated or clustered spherules that seldom exceed 0.15 mm in diameter. These spherules are composed of radially disposed needles that seldom attain 5 micron width.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, Paris, France; National Museum of Natural History,
Washington, D.C., USA, 135059.
Washington, D.C., USA, 135059.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Xocomecatlite
Other Language Names for Xocomecatlite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 20 photos of Xocomecatlite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 8 photos of Xocomecatlite associated with Mcalpineite | Cu3(Te6+O6) |
| 7 photos of Xocomecatlite associated with Teineite | Cu2+(Te4+O3) · 2H2O |
| 6 photos of Xocomecatlite associated with Hessite | Ag2Te |
| 6 photos of Xocomecatlite associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
| 6 photos of Xocomecatlite associated with Eurekadumpite | (Cu,Zn)16(TeO3)2(AsO4)3Cl(OH)18 · 7H2O |
| 5 photos of Xocomecatlite associated with Dugganite | Pb3Zn3(AsO4)2(TeO6) |
| 3 photos of Xocomecatlite associated with Jensenite | Cu3[TeO6] · 2H2O |
| 3 photos of Xocomecatlite associated with Native Gold | Au |
| 3 photos of Xocomecatlite associated with Tellurite | TeO2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.BB. | Iskandarovite | Sb6O7(SO4)2 |
| 7.BB. | Brumadoite | Cu3(Te6+O4)(OH)4 · 5H2O |
| 7.BB. | Novikovite | (NH4)4Mo6+2Mo5+2O8(SO4)5 |
| 7.BB.10 | Hauckite | Fe3+3(Mg,Mn2+)24Zn18(SO4)4(CO3)2(OH)81 |
| 7.BB.15 | Antlerite | Cu3(SO4)(OH)4 |
| 7.BB.20 | Dolerophanite | Cu2(SO4)O |
| 7.BB.25 | Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 7.BB.25 | Ramaccioniite | Cu4[SeO4](OH)6 |
| 7.BB.30 | Vergasovaite | Cu3(SO4)(MoO4,SO4)O |
| 7.BB.30 | Cupromolybdite | Cu3O(MoO4)2 |
| 7.BB.35 | Klebelsbergite | Sb4O4(SO4)(OH)2 |
| 7.BB.35 | Tavagnascoite | Bi4O4(SO4)(OH)2 |
| 7.BB.40 | Schuetteite | Hg2+3O2(SO4) |
| 7.BB.45 | Paraotwayite | Ni(OH)2-x(SO4,CO3)0.5x |
| 7.BB.55 | Pauflerite | (V4+O)SO4 |
| 7.BB.60 | Grandviewite | Cu3Al2(SO4)(OH)10 · H2O |
| 7.BB.65 | Timroseite | Pb2Cu5(TeO6)2(OH)2 |
| 7.BB.70 | Glikinite | Zn3O(SO4)2 |
| 7.BB.80 | Mojaveite | Cu6[Te6+O4(OH)2](OH)7Cl |
| 7.BB.85 | Paratimroseite | Pb2Cu4(TeO6)2(H2O)2 |
Fluorescence of Xocomecatlite
None
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Xocomecatlite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4342.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Xocomecatlite
Reference List:
Williams, S. A. (1975) Xocomecatlite, Cu3TeO4(OH)4, and tlalocite, Cu10Zn6(TeO3)(TeO4)2Cl(OH)25·27H2O, two new minerals from Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico. Mineralogical Magazine, 40 (311) 221-226 doi:10.1180/minmag.1975.040.311.01
Localities for Xocomecatlite
Showing 14 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Mexico (TL) | |
| Williams (1975) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Pekov et al. (2016) |
Sweden | |
| Jonsson (2016) |
USA | |
| Williams (1978) +1 other reference |
| Williams (1978) +1 other reference |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| MarekC pers. coll. 2018 |
| collected by Eckhard D. Stuart +1 other reference |
| Collected by Bob Housley. EDS and PXRD ... | |
| Kampf et al. (2022) |
| Collected and analyzed by Joy Desor. |
| Roberts et al. (1994) +2 other references |
| SEM EDS confirmed by Rob Bowell. |
| Collection of Alex Earl +1 other reference |
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Bambollita Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico