Kotulskite is a rare palladium telluride mineral typically found as microscopic inclusions within copper-nickel sulfide ores. It is primarily identified in polished sections through ore microscopy due to its small grain size and metallic, white-to-gray appearance. It is highly valued by mineral collectors specializing in rare platinum-group element minerals.
Is this kotulskite?
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 kotulskite with a known reference. Kotulskite 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, steel gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: inclusions.
Often confused with
Kotulskite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside kotulskite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kotulskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pd(Te,Bi)₂-x (x ≈ 0.4)
- Mohs hardness
- 4-4.5
- Density
- 8.26 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Inclusions
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A minor accessory mineral, of primary or secondary hydrothermal origin, in many Pt–Pd-bearing Cu–Ni deposits in ultramafic rocks
Where rockhounds find kotulskite
Classic worldwide localities
- New Rambler Cu–Ni mine, Medicine Bow Mountains, east of Encampment, Albany Co., Wyoming, USA
- Key West mine, east of Moapa, Bunkerville district, Clark Co., Nevada, USA
- Monchegorsk Cu–Ni deposit, Kola Peninsula (type locality), Russia
- Noril’sk region, western Siberia, Russia
- Lukkulaisvaara layered intrusion, Karelia, Russia
- Rustenburg platinum mine, in the Merensky Reef of the Bushveld complex, South Africa
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A minor accessory mineral, of primary or secondary hydrothermal origin, in many Pt–Pd-bearing Cu–Ni deposits in ultramafic rocks. If you start seeing sobolevskite, merenskyite, melonite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: inclusions. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify kotulskite?+
Where is kotulskite found?+
Is kotulskite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like kotulskite?+
What minerals are found with kotulskite?+
What kind of rock does kotulskite form in?+
What is kotulskite used for?+
Find kotulskite on the map
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