Chrisstanleyite is a rare silver-palladium selenide mineral typically found as microscopic grains within hydrothermal deposits. It is primarily identified through laboratory analysis of polished sections and is a highly sought-after prize for specialized collectors of rare ore minerals.
Is this chrisstanleyite?
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 chrisstanleyite with a known reference. Chrisstanleyite sits at Mohs ~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, silvery gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: aggregates, microscopic crystals.
Often confused with
Chrisstanleyite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Chrisstanleyite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~5 vs. 2.5-3); streak differs, so Chrisstanleyite leaves black, Clausthalite leaves grayish black.
How to tell apart: Chrisstanleyite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~5 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Chrisstanleyite leaves black, Tiemannite leaves nearly black.
Often found alongside chrisstanleyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with chrisstanleyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ag₂Pd₃Se₄
- Mohs hardness
- ~5
- Density
- 8.31 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Aggregates, microscopic crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In gold-bearing calcite veins in limestone (Hope’s Nose, England); in a carbonate matrix (Tilkerode, Germany); in malachite nodules (Copper Hills prospect, Australia)
Where rockhounds find chrisstanleyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hope’s Nose, Torquay, Devon, England (type locality)
- Tilkerode, Harz Mountains, Germany
- Copper Hills prospect, East Pilbara region, Western Australia
- El Chire prospect, 30 km northwest of the village of Vinchina, Los Llantenes mining district, La Rioja Province, Argentina
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In gold-bearing calcite veins in limestone (Hope’s Nose, England); in a carbonate matrix (Tilkerode, Germany); in malachite nodules (Copper Hills prospect, Australia). If you start seeing gold, fischesserite, clausthalite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find chrisstanleyite on the map
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