Tellurin

Tellurin is a hypothetical mineral species described in speculative mineralogy. It is presented as a tellurium-rich phase that could occur in hydrothermal environments and planetary crust analogues, though no natural specimen has been confirmed. The idealized composition centers on tellurium as the dominant element, with minor constituents such as copper, silver, and sulfur, forming a metal-rich lattice. The exact stoichiometry and crystal arrangement vary in models, but tellurin is commonly depicted as having a layered or intergrowth structure that could support metallic conductivity.

Physically, tellurin is imagined to be opaque with a metallic luster and a relatively high density. On the Mohs scale it is predicted to lie in the range of about 4 to 6, with brittleness typical of tellurium-rich solids. Its stability under ambient conditions is considered favorable, though impurities or specific environmental factors might promote slow tarnishing or surface oxidation.

Occurrence and formation: In speculative contexts, tellurin is expected to form in tellurium-rich hydrothermal veins and metamorphic rocks where tellurium concentrations are elevated. It is often described as occurring alongside other telluride minerals and native tellurium, though such associations remain theoretical without confirmed specimens.

Etymology and naming: The name Tellurin derives from tellurium and the common mineral suffix -in, reflecting its proposed composition and structure.

Applications and significance: In education and speculative world-building, tellurin provides a case study for mineral classification, crystallography, and the relationship between element abundance and mineral stability.