The chemical formula of mineral Schmitterite is indicated by (UO2)TeO3 or Uranyl Tellurite. Schmitterite is actually a Sulfate mineral. It is only used a mineral specimen and it is often found showing interesting microscope images when viewed with the aid of petrographic polarizing light microscope. Schmitterite is also considered as a very rare tellurium mineral. Its type of locality is Moctezuma Mine, Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico. This site is famous for rare tellurium minerals. Schmitterite is known to be a radioactive mineral. Thus, it should be stored away from other minerals that are easily affected by radioactivity. Human exposure should also be limited.
Mineral Schmitterite is most commonly found colorless to yellowish in color and could appear more fascinating when viewed with the aid of petrographic polarizing light microscopes. Schmitterite is usually found showing pearly luster when viewed in reflected light of polarized microscope for mineralogists. Most crystals of mineral Schmitterite are found transparent to translucent in appearance. Schmitterite is also known to crystallize in the orthorhombic system of crystal formation. In optical mineralogy, this orthorhombic crystal system comprises crystals having three mutually perpendicular axes, of which all are of different lengths. The crystal habit of the mineral Schmitterite as described in the field of optical mineralogy usually include small granular crystals and are also massive in form.
Mineral Schmitterite is known to have good cleavage in one direction, which can be seen more clearly visible when specimen is closely viewed with the aid of polarizing microscope used in optical mineralogy. The hardness measure of the mineral when it is evaluated using the Mohs scale method is usually 1. Schmitterite is most commonly found leaving a white streak when specimen is rubbed on a white porcelain streak plate. The specific gravity measure of the mineral is approximately 6.8 to 6.9 grams per cubic centimeters, which is heavy for translucent minerals. Specimens of mineral Schmitterite are said to be radioactive. It is most commonly found associated with various other tellurium minerals such as rodalquilarite, emmonsite and other tellurates and tellurites. The best field indicators of mineral Schmitterite usually include cleavage, softness, locality, radioactivity, high density and luster. Schmitterite has limited occurrence at its type of locality at Moctezuma Mine and Bambollita Mine of Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico.
