Class : Oxides and hydroxides
    Subclass : Oxides
    Crystal system : Orthorhombique
    Chemistry : TeO₂
    Rarity : Very rare

Tellurite is a very rare tellurium mineral, dimorphic of paratellurite, found in the oxidation zone of epithermal gold deposits, where it comes from the oxidation of tellurium minerals. Tellurite is often closely associated with native tellurium, native gold, and various tellurides (hessite, sylvanite, altaite) and sulfides (sphalerite, galena, pyrite). The name of this mineral reflects its chemical composition. Tellurite forms small, flattened, striated, acicular crystals, frequently grouped into radiate spherulites or tufts, or powdery masses, white, yellow, sometimes orange in color.

Main photo : Tellurite from Moctezuma Mine, Sonora, Mexico © Joy Desor

No twinning known for this mineral species.

No fakes listed for this mineral species.