Keithconnite is a very rare palladium telluride mineral found primarily in platinum-group element (PGE) sulfide deposits. It usually occurs as microscopic anhedral grains or inclusions within larger metallic sulfides, making it a challenge to identify without specialized laboratory equipment like electron microprobe analysis.
Is this keithconnite?
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 keithconnite with a known reference. Keithconnite 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. Keithconnite leaves a grey streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Keithconnite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bronze, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains, inclusions in other minerals.
Often confused with
Keithconnite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Keithconnite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2.5); streak differs — Keithconnite leaves grey, Kotulskite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Keithconnite leaves grey, Sobolevskite leaves black.
Often found alongside keithconnite
Minerals reported to co-occur with keithconnite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pd₂₀Te₇
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 9.4-9.6 g/cm³
- Streak
- Grey
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains, Inclusions in Other Minerals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Ultramafic Igneous Rocks and Copper-nickel Sulfide Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500+ per specimen
Where rockhounds find keithconnite
Classic worldwide localities
- Stillwater Complex, Montana, USA
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
- Norilsk, Russia
- Lac des Iles, Ontario, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in ultramafic igneous rocks and copper-nickel sulfide deposits country — that is the host setting where keithconnite typically forms. If you start seeing braggite, chalcopyrite, pentlandite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains, inclusions in other minerals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find keithconnite on the map
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