Tellurite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Tellurite
Formula:
TeO2
Colour:
White to yellow, bright yellow to orange-yellow; nearly colourless in transmitted light
Lustre:
Sub-Adamantine
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
5.88 - 5.92
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named for its tellurium content.
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
This page provides mineralogical data about Tellurite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3905
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3905:1
IMA Classification of Tellurite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1842
Classification of Tellurite
4.DE.20
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
E : With medium-sized cations; with various polyhedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
E : With medium-sized cations; with various polyhedra
4.4.6.1
4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
4 : AX2
4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
4 : AX2
7.17.2
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
17 : Oxides of Se and Te
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
17 : Oxides of Se and Te
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tlr | 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 Tellurite
Sub-Adamantine
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
White to yellow, bright yellow to orange-yellow; nearly colourless in transmitted light
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Flexible
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {010}.
Perfect on {010}.
Density:
5.88 - 5.92 g/cm3 (Measured) 5.75 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Tellurite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 2.00(5) nβ = 2.18(2) nγ = 2.35(2)
2V:
Measured: 90°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.350
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.
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.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
relatively weak, r < v
Chemistry of Tellurite
Mindat Formula:
TeO2
Elements listed:
CAS Registry number:
Crystallography of Tellurite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbca
Setting:
Pbca
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.035(6) Å, b = 5.464(3) Å, c = 5.607(3) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.203 : 1 : 1.026
Unit Cell V:
368.71 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Acicular [001] and thin laths {010}, often striated [001]. Grouped in tufts and in spherical masses with a radiated structure. Powdery coatings.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0018058 | Tellurite | Ito T, Sawada H (1940) The crystal structure of tellurite (Te O2) _cod_database_code 1011183 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 102 13-25 | 1940 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0010638 | Tellurite | Beyer H (1967) Verfeinerung der kristallstruktur von tellurit, dem rhomischen TeO2 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 124 228-237 |  | 1967 | Moctezuma, Mexico | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.280 Å | (100) |
| 3.723 Å | (95) |
| 3.008 Å | (50) |
| 2.730 Å | (45) |
| 2.800 Å | (25) |
| 2.298 Å | (25) |
| 1.930 Å | (25) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Tellurite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Tellurite
Other Language Names for Tellurite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 36 photos of Tellurite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 24 photos of Tellurite associated with Paratellurite | TeO2 |
| 21 photos of Tellurite associated with Native Tellurium | Te |
| 17 photos of Tellurite associated with Spiroffite | Mn2+2Te4+3O8 |
| 11 photos of Tellurite associated with Zemannite | Mg0.5ZnFe3+(Te4+O3)3 · 4.5H2O |
| 11 photos of Tellurite associated with Denningite | (Mn2+,Ca,Zn)Te4+2O5 |
| 9 photos of Tellurite associated with Teineite | Cu2+(Te4+O3) · 2H2O |
| 8 photos of Tellurite associated with Native Gold | Au |
| 8 photos of Tellurite associated with Rodalquilarite | Fe2(TeO2OH)3(TeO3)Cl |
| 7 photos of Tellurite associated with Mroseite | CaTe4+(CO3)O2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.DE. | Colchesterite | Bi3+2Mo6+2O9 |
| 4.DE. | Pertoldite | GeO2 |
| 4.DE. | Ziroite | ZrO2 |
| 4.DE.05 | Downeyite | SeO2 |
| 4.DE.10 | Koragoite | (Mn2+,Fe3+)3(Nb,Ta,Ti)2(Nb,Mn)2(W,Ta)2O20 |
| 4.DE.15 | Russellite | Bi2WO6 |
| 4.DE.15 | Koechlinite | Bi2MoO6 |
| 4.DE.15 | Tungstibite | Sb3+2WO6 |
| 4.DE.25 | Paratellurite | TeO2 |
| 4.DE.30 | Bismutotantalite | BiTaO4 |
| 4.DE.30 | Stibiotantalite | Sb(Ta,Nb)O4 |
| 4.DE.30 | Cervantite | Sb3+Sb5+O4 |
| 4.DE.30 | Bismutocolumbite | Bi(Nb,Ta)O4 |
| 4.DE.30 | Stibiocolumbite | Sb(Nb,Ta)O4 |
| 4.DE.30 | Clinocervantite | Sb3+Sb5+O4 |
| 4.DE.35 | Baddeleyite | ZrO2 |
| 4.DE.40 | Billwiseite | Sb3+5Nb3WO18 |
| 4.DE.45 | Kyawthuite | Bi3+Sb5+O4 |
Other Information
Notes:
Very slightly soluble in H2O.
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 Tellurite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3905.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
References for Tellurite
Reference List:
Localities for Tellurite
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.
Austria | |
| Auer (2019) |
| Auer (2019) |
Canada | |
| Ames et al. (2003) |
| Kjarsgaard et al. (2010, June) |
| Harris et al. (1973) |
Chile | |
| Maurizio Dini collection - analysed with EDX (by Dr. Jochen Schlüter) +1 other reference |
| Back et al. (1999) +1 other reference | |
China | |
| Jiuling Li et al. (2001) |
| Pang et al. (2022) |
| Li et al. (2022) |
| Li et al. (2022) | |
| Li et al. (2019) |
Czech Republic | |
| Vogl (1857) +1 other reference |
France | |
| Laurent (1995) |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
Ghana | |
| Bowell (1992) |
Hungary | |
| |
Japan | |
| YUNINGSIH et al. (2018) |
| 井伊博行 (1991) |
| Ishibashi (1960) +1 other reference | |
| Yosimura (1939) +1 other reference | |
| Ishibashi (1960) |
| Masutomi Museum specimen (Kyoto) +2 other references |
| Yamada (2004) | |
Mexico | |
| J F Carpenter |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Lapis 2001 (1) | |
Myanmar | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data |
Poland | |
| Parafiniuk J. (2003) |
Romania (TL) | |
| Dana 4:502 |
| Stephan Wolfsried photo. | |
| Cook et al. (2003) |
| Apopei et al. (2016) |
Russia | |
| Izvekova et al. (2021) |
| Pekov (1998) |
| Kasatkin et al. (2025) |
| Nikolaev et al. (2013) |
| Bortnikov et al. (2023) |
| Anastasiya SERGEEVA (2023) +1 other reference |
| Zhegunov et al. (2025) | |
| Kovalenker et al. (2005) | |
| Strelnikov M. V. et al. (2025) | |
| Dana 7:I:594. |
| Gerasimov et al. (2025) |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
Spain | |
| Ignacio Gaspar Collection |
| Analysis performed at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Ignacio Gaspar) | |
| www.foro-minerales.com (n.d.) | |
Thailand | |
| Zaw et al. (2007) |
USA | |
| Graeme (1993) |
| Graeme (1993) +1 other reference | |
| MarekC Collection (2017) |
| Marek Chorazewicz (2021) |
| Dana 7:I:594 & Dana 6:1089. |
| Note from mine geologist |
| Dana 6:11 & Dana 7:I:594. |
| Dana 6: 11 +1 other reference |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Dana 7:I:199 |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Dana 7:I:446 +2 other references |
| Carnein et al. (2005) |
| Carnein et al. (2005) | |
| USGS Professional Paper 54 +1 other reference | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Collected by Dan Evanich in 2019. ... | |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Rocks & Minerals. Nov. 1999. | |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Kampf et al. (2022) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Roberts et al. (1965) |
| Chuck Adan Collection +1 other reference |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... | |
| Miyawaki et al. (2019) +1 other reference |
| Coolbaugh et al. (2020) | |
| Thorne (n.d.) |
| SEM EDS confirmed by Rob Bowell. |
| Collected by Carl Ege and in the ... |
Uzbekistan | |
| Evseev (1995) +2 other references |
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Moctezuma Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico