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 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: gray.
- 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: trigonal. Typical habit: granular.
Often confused with
Keithconnite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
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
- 5
- Density
- 11.72 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Rare with other platinum-group minerals in layered ultrabasic complexes and their placers
Where rockhounds find keithconnite
Classic worldwide localities
- Stillwater complex, Montana, USA (type locality)
- Bird River sill, Manitoba, Canada
- Department of Chocó, Cauca, Colombia
- Kirakkajuppura deposit, Penikat layered complex, northeast of Kemi, Finland
- Pustaya River placers, Kamchatka, Russia
- Placers in the Veluće ophiolite complex, Serbia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Rare with other platinum-group minerals in layered ultrabasic complexes and their placers. If you start seeing merenskyite, kotulskite, telluropalladinite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify keithconnite?+
Where is keithconnite found?+
Is keithconnite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like keithconnite?+
What minerals are found with keithconnite?+
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Find keithconnite on the map
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