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Cuzticite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Cuzticite
Formula:
Fe3+2(TeO6) · 3H2O
Colour:
Deep yellow, also golden brown to brown
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Greasy, Pearly
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
3.9
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Named in 1982 from the Nahuatl language for "something yellow" referring to the yellow to brown color of the original mineral.
This page provides mineralogical data about Cuzticite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1199
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1199:6
IMA Classification of Cuzticite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Fe3+2Te6+O6·3H2O
Approval year:
1980
Classification of Cuzticite
4.FM.35
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
M : Hydroxides with H2O +- (OH); unclassified
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
M : Hydroxides with H2O +- (OH); unclassified
Dana 7th ed.:
33.2.3.1
33.2.3.1
33 : SELENATES AND TELLURATES
2 : (AB)m(XO6)·xH2O, where x can equal zero
33 : SELENATES AND TELLURATES
2 : (AB)m(XO6)·xH2O, where x can equal zero
28.4.16
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cuz | 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 Cuzticite
Sub-Vitreous, Greasy, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
May be very bright or reflective
Colour:
Deep yellow, also golden brown to brown
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.9 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.01 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Cuzticite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 2.06 nε = 2.05
Birefringence:
0.01
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.010
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 uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Optical Extinction:
Parallel
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Cuzticite
Mindat Formula:
Fe3+2(TeO6) · 3H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Cuzticite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.045 Å, c = 14.63 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 2.9
Unit Cell V:
322.48 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Scaly coatings
Comment:
Point Group: n.d.; Space Group: n.d.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.87 Å | (40) |
| 3.26 Å | (100) |
| 2.52 Å | (70) |
| 2.24 Å | (30) |
| 1.99 Å | (20) |
| 1.75 Å | (20) |
| 1.56 Å | (30) |
| 1.46 Å | (30) |
Comments:
35-664
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] |
Type Occurrence of Cuzticite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Yellow to brownish yellow scaly coatings.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1984,467
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Cuzticite
Other Language Names for Cuzticite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 5 photos of Cuzticite associated with |
Moctezuma Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico