Majakite is an extremely rare palladium-nickel arsenide mineral found primarily in copper-nickel sulfide deposits associated with layered igneous complexes. It typically occurs as tiny, metallic inclusions within other ore minerals, making identification difficult without microscopic analysis or electron microprobe study.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Majakite

Hardness: ~5
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

No image

Is this majakite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch majakite with a known reference. Majakite sits at Mohs ~5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: gray white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: microscopic crystals.

Often confused with

Majakite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Majakite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~5 vs. 2); streak differs, so Majakite leaves black, Palladinite leaves yellow; luster reads metallic on Majakite and dull on Palladinite.

Often found alongside majakite

Minerals reported to co-occur with majakite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: PdNiAs
Mohs hardness: ~5
Density: 9.33 g/cm³
Colors: Gray white
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Microscopic crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific research
Host rock: As intergrowths with other platinum-group minerals in chalcopyrite and talnakhite ores (Majak mine, Russia); in sulfide mineralization in a strongly metamorphosed layered intrusive (Konttijärvi intrusion, Finland)

Where rockhounds find majakite

Classic worldwide localities

Majak mine, Talnakh area, Noril’sk region, western Siberia (type locality), Russia
Found at the Chiney layered intrusion, western Aldan shield, Siberia, Russia
Nizhni Tagil, Ural Mountains, Russia
Vostok deposit, Lukkulaisvaara layered intrusion, Karelia, Russia
Konttijärvi intrusion, northern Finland
Lubin and Polkovice copper mines, near Legnica, Zechstein copper district, Lower Silesia, Poland

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: As intergrowths with other platinum-group minerals in chalcopyrite and talnakhite ores (Majak mine, Russia); in sulfide mineralization in a strongly metamorphosed layered intrusive (Konttijärvi intrusion, Finland). If you start seeing chalcopyrite, talnakhite, polarite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify majakite?+

Mohs hardness is ~5. Luster: metallic. The streak is black. Common colors include gray white.

Where is majakite found?+

Notable localities include Majak mine, Talnakh area, Noril’sk region, western Siberia (type locality), Russia; Found at the Chiney layered intrusion, western Aldan shield, Siberia, Russia; Nizhni Tagil, Ural Mountains, Russia; Vostok deposit, Lukkulaisvaara layered intrusion, Karelia, Russia; Konttijärvi intrusion, northern Finland.

Is majakite safe to handle?+

Majakite contains arsenic and nickel and calls for real care. Contains arsenic, which is toxic. Handle with caution, avoid ingestion or inhalation of dust, and wash hands after handling.

What rocks look like majakite?+

Majakite is most often confused with Palladinite, Kotulskite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with majakite?+

Majakite commonly co-occurs with Chalcopyrite, Talnakhite, Polarite, Stanopalladinite, Silver, Ferroplatinum. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does majakite form in?+

Where it forms: As intergrowths with other platinum-group minerals in chalcopyrite and talnakhite ores (Majak mine, Russia); in sulfide mineralization in a strongly metamorphosed layered intrusive (Konttijärvi intrusion, Finland). Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is majakite used for?+

Majakite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find majakite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.