Teruelite (variety of Dolomite)
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Archaeodontosaurus" title="User:Archaeodontosaurus">Didier Descouens</a> (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mineral NameTeruelite (variety of Dolomite)
Chemical FormulaCaMg(CO3)2
Mohs Hardness3.5
Crystal Systemtrigonal
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavageperfect rhombohedral {1011}
Fractureconchoidal to uneven
Specific Gravity2.85
Colorsdark brown, black, gray, white
Transparencytranslucent to opaque
Type LocalitySalobral ravine, Teruel, Aragón, Spain
Mineral GroupCarbonates
Usescollector, industrial (as dolomite)
Associated Mineralscalcite, quartz, pyrite
Rarityuncommon
Description
The specimen displays several sharp, dark brown to black, pseudo-octahedral crystals of Teruelite embedded within a light gray to off-white granular matrix.
Geological Context
Dolomite typically forms in marine sedimentary environments, often through the diagenetic alteration of limestone (dolomitization) or direct precipitation from hypersaline brines. This variety likely formed in a similar sedimentary or hydrothermal setting.
