Quetzalcoatlite
A variety of Minerals
What is Quetzalcoatlite?
Quetzalcoatlite is a rare tellurium oxysalt mineral with the formula Zn6Cu3(TeO6)2(OH)6 · AgxPbyClx+2y. It also contains large amounts of silver- and lead(II)chloride with the formula AgxPbyClx+2y (x+y≤2). It has a Moh's hardness of 3 and it crystallizes in the trigonal system. It has a deep blue color. It was named after Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec and Toltec god of the sea, alluding to its color. It is not to be confused with tlalocite, which has a similar color and habit.
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Key Characteristics
Formation of Quetzalcoatlite
Quetzalcoatlite was first identified in the Bambollita mine (La Oriental), Moctezuma, Municipio de Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico. It was later also found in another nearby mine, the Moctezuma mine, and it has also been found in mines in Arizona, Utah and California. It occurs as a rare mineral in the oxidized zone of tellurium-bearing hydrothermal deposits and it is often associated with hessite, galena, bornite, cerussite, azurite, chlorargyrite, teineite, quartz, baryte, khinite, dugganite, and gold.
Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Blue
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 3
- Density
- 4.82 g/cm³
- Streak
- Pale blue, almost white
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- Zn6Cu3(TeO6)2(OH)6 · AgxPbyClx+2y
- Elements
- Ag, Cl, Cu, H, O, Pb, Te, Zn
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