Cabriite is an extremely rare palladium-tin-copper mineral found as microscopic inclusions within copper-nickel sulfide deposits. It is best identified through reflected light microscopy or microprobe analysis within larger sulfide assemblages, as it rarely forms identifiable hand-specimen crystals.
Is this cabriite?
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 cabriite with a known reference. Cabriite sits at Mohs 3.5-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Cabriite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Cabriite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pinkish-white, bright metallic.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains and inclusions within other sulfide minerals.
Often confused with
Cabriite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside cabriite
Minerals reported to co-occur with cabriite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pd₂SnCu
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 10.4-10.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains and Inclusions Within Other Sulfide Minerals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Copper-nickel Sulfide Ores in Ultramafic Rocks
- Typical price
- $100-500 per microscopic grain mount
Where rockhounds find cabriite
Classic worldwide localities
- Norilsk ore district, Russia
- Stillwater Complex, USA
- Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa
Field-hunting tip
Look in copper-nickel sulfide ores in ultramafic rocks country — that is the host setting where cabriite typically forms. If you start seeing chalcopyrite, cubanite, pentlandite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains and inclusions within other sulfide minerals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find cabriite on the map
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