Lukkulaisvaaraite is a very rare palladium-copper-lead intermetallic mineral found primarily in layered mafic intrusions. It typically occurs as microscopic inclusions within other sulfide minerals, making it a challenging find for even the most dedicated collectors.
Is this lukkulaisvaaraite?
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 lukkulaisvaaraite with a known reference. Lukkulaisvaaraite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Lukkulaisvaaraite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lukkulaisvaaraite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Lukkulaisvaaraite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Palladium is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.75-5 vs. 3-4); streak differs — Lukkulaisvaaraite leaves white, Palladium leaves silver-white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Lukkulaisvaaraite leaves white, Isoferroplatinum leaves grayish-black.
Often found alongside lukkulaisvaaraite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lukkulaisvaaraite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pd₁₄Cu₂Pb
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 4.7-4.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Layered Mafic-ultramafic Intrusions
- Typical price
- $100-500 per micro-specimen
Where rockhounds find lukkulaisvaaraite
Classic worldwide localities
- Lukkulaisvaara intrusion, Karelia, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in layered mafic-ultramafic intrusions country — that is the host setting where lukkulaisvaaraite typically forms. If you start seeing chalcopyrite, pentlandite, magnetite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify lukkulaisvaaraite?+
Where is lukkulaisvaaraite found?+
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Find lukkulaisvaaraite on the map
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