Merenskyite is a rare palladium telluride typically found in association with platinum-group minerals in layered mafic intrusions. Collectors usually find it as microscopic inclusions within base-metal sulfides, appearing as small white metallic grains under reflected light microscopy.
Is this merenskyite?
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 merenskyite with a known reference. Merenskyite sits at Mohs 1.5-2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Merenskyite leaves a grey streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Merenskyite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Merenskyite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Merenskyite leaves grey, Melonite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Merenskyite leaves grey, Moncheite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Merenskyite leaves grey, Kotulskite leaves black.
Often found alongside merenskyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with merenskyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PdTe₂
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 9.18 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Grey
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Ore Mineral
- Host rock
- Mafic and Ultramafic Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- $20-100 micro/thumbnail
Where rockhounds find merenskyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Merensky Reef, South Africa
- Stillwater Complex, USA
- Lac des Iles, Canada
- Norilsk, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks country, the host setting where merenskyite typically forms. If you start seeing chalcopyrite, pentlandite, pyrrhotite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find merenskyite on the map
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