Frohbergite

Frohbergite
Frohbergite (Arizona)
General
CategoryTelluride (sulfosalt) mineral
FormulaFeTe2
IMA symbolFrb
Strunz classification2.EB.10a
Crystal systemOrthorhombic
Crystal classsulphide
Identification
Colorwhite with a lilac or pinkish tint
Crystal habitin the form of a thin border or small inclusions
Cleavagethe mineral is fragile
Mohs scale hardness3-4, up to 4.5
Lustermetallic
Diaphaneityopaque
Density8.057 (calculated)
8.055 (measured)
Pleochroismextremely weak.

Frohbergite (German: Frohbergit, title by proper name: Max Hans Frohberg), also iron telluride is a rare hydrothermal mineral from the sulfide class, in composition — iron telluride with the ideal formula FeTe2 (contains 82.05% tellurium and 17.95% iron).

Frohbergite occurs in tellurium-rich veins of hydrothermal deposits, sometimes as a thin rim on the periphery of chalcopyrite or as inclusions in native gold, petzite or chalcopyrite. It belongs to the marcasite group and forms a mineral line with mattagamite. Frohbergite most often occurs as fine-grained aggregates.:93