| Coloradoite | |
|---|---|
 Coloradoite from the La Plata District of Colorado | |
| General | |
| Category | Telluride mineral |
| Formula (repeating unit) | HgTe |
| IMA symbol | Clr[1] |
| Strunz classification | 2.CB.05a |
| Crystal system | Cubic |
| Crystal class | Hextetrahedral (43m) H–M Symbol: (4 3m) |
| Space group | F43m |
| Unit cell | a = 6.453 Å; Z = 4 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Iron-black inclining to gray |
| Crystal habit | Massive, granular |
| Fracture | Uneven to subconchordial |
| Tenacity | Brittle |
| Mohs scale hardness | 2.5 |
| Luster | Bright metallic |
| Streak | Black |
| Diaphaneity | Opaque |
| Specific gravity | 8.10 |
| References | [2][3][4] |
Coloradoite, also known as mercury telluride (HgTe), is a rare telluride ore associated with metallic deposit (especially gold and silver). Gold usually occurs within tellurides, such as coloradoite, as a high-finess native metal.[5]
The quest for mining led to the discovery of telluride ores which were found to be associated with metals. Tellurides are ingrown into ores containing these precious metals and are also responsible for a significant amount of these metals being produced. Coloradoite, a member of the coordination subclass of tellurides, is a covalent compound that is isostructural with sphalerite (ZnS).[6] Its chemical properties are highly instrumental in distinguishing it from other tellurides. It was first discovered in Colorado in 1877. Since then, other deposits have been found. Although it plays an important role in the geology of minerals, it can also be used for other purposes.
- ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
- ^ Anthony, John W.; Bideaux, Richard A; Bkadh, Kenneth W. and Nichols, Monte C. (1990) "Coloradoite" in Handbook of Mineralogy. Volume I: Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts. Mineral Data Publishing. Tucson, Arizona. p. 105. ISBN 0962209708.
- ^ Coloradoite. Mindat.org
- ^ Coloradoite. Webmineral
- ^
Fadda, S., Fiori, M., Silvana and Grillo, M. (2005). "Chemical variations in tetrahedrite – tennantite minerals from the Furtei epithermal Au deposit, Sardinia, Italy: Mineral zoning and ore fluids evolution" (PDF). Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Petrology. 43. Bulgarian Academy of Sciences: 79–84.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Povarennykh, A. S (1972). Crystal Chemical classification of minerals. Vol I, pp. 120–121