Bortnikovite is an extremely rare palladium-copper alloy first discovered in the Konder Massif of Russia. It typically occurs as minute, irregular grains embedded within platinum-group element (PGE) mineral assemblages found in ultramafic rocks.
Is this bortnikovite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch bortnikovite with a known reference. Bortnikovite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bortnikovite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Bortnikovite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, silver-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: irregular grains.
Often confused with
Bortnikovite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Isoferroplatinum is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. 3.5); streak differs — Bortnikovite leaves black, Isoferroplatinum leaves grayish-black.
How to tell apart: Tulameenite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5-5 vs. 3.5); streak differs — Bortnikovite leaves black, Tulameenite leaves grey.
Often found alongside bortnikovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bortnikovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pd₄Cu₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 11.1 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Irregular Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Ultramafic Alkaline-ultrabasic Massifs
- Typical price
- $100-500 for micro-mount specimens
Where rockhounds find bortnikovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Konder Massif, Khabarovsk Krai, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in ultramafic alkaline-ultrabasic massifs country — that is the host setting where bortnikovite typically forms. If you start seeing isoferroplatinum, tulameenite, laurite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a irregular grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find bortnikovite on the map
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