Telluride

Telluride refers to compounds containing tellurium combined with less electronegative elements, and to minerals in which tellurium occurs in the -2 oxidation state. In mineralogy, tellurides are typically metal-rich minerals with the general character MT e, including minerals such as calaverite (gold telluride, AuTe2), krennerite (a gold telluride polymorph), sylvanite (AgAuTe4), hessite (Ag2Te), and petzite (Ag3AuTe2). Altaite (PbTe) is a lead telluride mineral. Tellurides commonly form in hydrothermal ore deposits and are often associated with gold and silver.

Tellurides have economic significance as sources of tellurium and as ore minerals for precious metals. Tellurium is produced as a byproduct of copper refining and is used in alloys, semiconductors, and thermoelectric devices. Certain telluride compounds are important in technology, notably cadmium telluride (CdTe) used in thin-film solar cells, lead telluride (PbTe) used in thermoelectric materials, and bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) used in thermoelectric cooling and sensing applications.

Telluride, Colorado, is a mountain town in the southwestern United States. It began as a mining community in the late 19th century and later became a resort known for outdoor recreation and cultural events, including the Telluride Film Festival. The town’s name is tied to telluride ore that was found in the surrounding region, reflecting its mining heritage.