Mineralpedia Details for Quetzalcoatlite
Quetzalcoatlite
Named for the feathered snake god, Quetzalcoatl, whom the Toltec and Aztec people believed was the god of the sea, in reference to the minerals sea-blue color. Quetzalcoatlite can be found only at its type locality at the Bambollita Mine at Moctezuma, Mexico, and within the United States in Arizona, California, and Utah. This rare mineral is found in oxidized hydrothermal deposits that contain tellurium.
Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/quetzalcoatlite.pdf
- Formula
- Cu2+3Zn6Te6+2O12(OH)6ยท(Ag,Pb,[ ])Cl
- Crystal System
- Hexagonal
- Cleavage
- Distinct, None, None
- Color
- blue
- Class
- Hexagonal - Trapezohedral
- Fracture
- Brittle
- Hardness
- 3
- WebMineral
- View Quetzalcoatlite
- Mindat
- View Quetzalcoatlite
Quetzalcoatlite from Centennial Eureka mine, Tintic dist., Juab Co., Utah, United States
Acicular to radiating in cross section blue crystals to 1mm.
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Quetzalcoatlite from Blue Bell claims, San Bernardino Co., California, United States
Light green acicular sprays eminating from a core agggregate. The sprays are about 0.5mm.
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