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 — Merenskyite leaves grey, Melonite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Merenskyite leaves grey, Moncheite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — 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 — that is 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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