Carlfriesite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Carlfriesite
Carl Fries Jr.
Formula:
CaTe4+2Te6+O8
Colour:
Yellow
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
6.3
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in honor of Carl Fries Jr. (30 September 1910, Chicago, Illinois, USA - 11 July 1965, Mexico City, Mexico), geologist with the United States Geological Survey. For 18 years, starting in 1942, he worked in Mexico as a member of an American technical group. He later worked at the Instituto de Geología in Mexico City.
The first mixed-valence tellurate mineral with a crystal structure.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
899
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:899:2
IMA Classification of Carlfriesite
Approved
First published:
1975
Classification of Carlfriesite
4.JK.25
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
K : Tellurites without additional anions, without H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
K : Tellurites without additional anions, without H2O
34.5.3.1
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
5 : A(X3O8)
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
5 : A(X3O8)
28.4.2
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clf | 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 Carlfriesite
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Yellow
Streak:
Very pale yellow
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
Fair on {010}
Fair on {010}
Density:
6.3 g/cm3 (Measured) 5.7 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Carlfriesite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.982 nβ = 2.095 nγ = 2.19
2V:
Measured: 80° , Calculated: 79°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.208
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:
strong
Optical Extinction:
Y = b; X ∧ c = 28°.
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
In yellows.
Comments:
Absorption: X = Y < Z.
Chemistry of Carlfriesite
Mindat Formula:
CaTe4+2Te6+O8
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Carlfriesite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.576(2) Å, b = 5.662(3) Å, c = 9.994(2) Å
β = 115.56(3)°
β = 115.56(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.221 : 1 : 1.765
Unit Cell V:
641.98 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Axe head shaped crystals, radial sprays, botyroidal crusts.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000684 | Carlfriesite | Effenberger H, Zemann J, Mayer H (1978) Carlfriesite: crystal structure, revision of chemical formula, and synthesis American Mineralogist 63 847-852 |  | 1978 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.167 Å | (100) |
| 3.082 Å | (90b) |
| 5.063 Å | (60) |
| 2.832 Å | (60) |
| 3.369 Å | (40) |
| 4.825 Å | (30) |
| 2.698 Å | (30) |
Comments:
Moctezuma mine, Mexico. Data from type description.
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 Carlfriesite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Botryoidal crusts and less frequently as tiny sprays of sharply euhedral crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, London, England, number 1976,406.
University of Pierre and Marie Curie, Paris, France.
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, number 119080.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, numbers 128393, 135058.
University of Pierre and Marie Curie, Paris, France.
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, number 119080.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, numbers 128393, 135058.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Cavities in oxidized hydrothermal Au-Te deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Carlfriesite
Other Language Names for Carlfriesite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 5 photos of Carlfriesite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 3 photos of Carlfriesite associated with Xocolatlite | Ca2Mn4+2(Te6+O6)2 · H2O |
| 3 photos of Carlfriesite associated with Tlapallite | (Ca,Pb)3CaCu6[Te4+3Te6+O12]2(Te4+O3)2(SO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 2 photos of Carlfriesite associated with Andymcdonaldite | Fe2TeO6 |
| 2 photos of Carlfriesite associated with Dagenaisite | Zn3Te6+O6 |
| 1 photo of Carlfriesite associated with Native Gold | Au |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JK. | Matthiasweilite | PbTe4+O3 |
| 4.JK.05 | Walfordite | (Fe3+,Te6+)Te4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.05 | Winstanleyite | TiTe4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.10 | Zincospiroffite | Zn2Te4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.10 | Spiroffite | Mn2+2Te4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.15 | Balyakinite | Cu(TeO3) |
| 4.JK.20 | Rajite | Cu(Te4+2O5) |
| 4.JK.30 | Chenzhangruite | MnFe2+Te4+4O10 |
| 4.JK.30 | Stankeithite | Mn2+Mn2+Te4+4 O10 |
| 4.JK.30 | Paulhlavaite | CaCuTe4+ 4O10 |
| 4.JK.30 | Denningite | CaMn2+Te4+4O10 |
| 4.JK.35 | Chekhovichite | Bi2Te4+4O11 |
| 4.JK.40 | Smirnite | Bi2Te4+O5 |
| 4.JK.45 | Choloalite | (Cu,Sb)3(Pb,Ca)3(TeO3)6Cl |
| 4.JK.50 | Fairbankite | Pb2+12(Te4+O3)11(SO4) |
| 4.JK.55 | Plumbotellurite | Pb(TeO3) |
| 4.JK.60 | Magnolite | [Hg2]2+[Te4+O3] |
| 4.JK.65 | Moctezumite | Pb(UO2)(TeO3)2 |
| 4.JK.70 | Schmitterite | (UO2)(TeO3) |
| 4.JK.75 | Cliffordite | (UO2)Te4+3O7 |
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 Carlfriesite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-899.html
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References for Carlfriesite
Reference List:
Williams, Sidney A., Gaines, Richard V. (1975) Carlfriesite, H4Ca(TeO3)3, a new mineral from Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico. Mineralogical Magazine, 40 (310) 127-130 doi:10.1180/minmag.1975.040.310.02
Fleischer, Michael, Pabst, Adolf, Cabri, Louis J. (1976) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 61 (9-10) 1053-1056
Effenberger, Herta, Zemann, Josef, Mater, Helmut (1978) Carlfriesite: crystal structure, revision of chemical formula, and synthesis. American Mineralogist, 63 (9-10) 847-852
Frost, Ray L., Dickfos, Marilla J., Keeffe, Eloise C. (2009) Raman spectroscopic study of the tellurite minerals: Carlfriesite and spiroffite. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 71 (5) 1663-1666 doi:10.1016/j.saa.2008.06.014
Missen, Owen P., Kampf, Anthony R., Mills, Stuart J., Housley, Robert M., Spratt, John, Welch, Mark D., Coolbaugh, Mark F., Marty, Joe, Chorazewicz, Marek, Ferraris, Cristiano (2019) The crystal structures of the mixed-valence tellurium oxysalts tlapallite, (Ca,Pb)3CaCu6[Te4+3Te6+O12]2(Te4+O3)2(SO4)2·3H2O, and carlfriesite, CaTe4+2Te6+O8. Mineralogical Magazine, 83 (4) 539-549 doi:10.1180/mgm.2019.9
Localities for Carlfriesite
Showing 10 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 | |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Williams et al. (1975) +2 other references |
| Panczner (1987) | |
| Thorne (n.d.) | |
USA | |
| In the collection of Brent Thorne |
| Marek Chorazewicz (2021) |
| Collected by Bob Housley and Raman ... |
| Kampf et al. (2022) | |
| Collected and analyzed by Joy Desor. |
| Missen et al. (2019) |
Quick NavTopAbout CarlfriesiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Moctezuma Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico