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 4-4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. 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
- 4-4.5
- Density
- 11.1 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains and inclusions within other sulfide minerals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In massive mooihoekite ore, also in galena–chalcopyrite veins
Where rockhounds find cabriite
Classic worldwide localities
- Minnamax Cu–Ni sulfide deposit, Duluth Gabbro complex, near Hibbing, St. Louis Co., Minnesota, USA
- Oktyabr mine, Talnakh area, Noril’sk region, western Siberia, Russia (type locality)
- Muskox intrusion, Northwest Territories, and at Thetford Mines, Quebec, Canada
- Onverwacht mine, in the Merensky Reef, Bushveld complex, Transvaal, South Africa
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In massive mooihoekite ore, also in galena–chalcopyrite veins. If you start seeing mooihoekite, sperrylite, geeversite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains and inclusions within other sulfide minerals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify cabriite?+
Where is cabriite found?+
Is cabriite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like cabriite?+
What minerals are found with cabriite?+
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Find cabriite on the map
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