Michenerite is a rare palladium-bismuth-telluride mineral typically found as microscopic grains within massive sulfide ores. It is primarily identified in laboratory or reflected-light microscopy settings due to its small size and tendency to occur as an accessory in platinum-group element deposits.
Is this michenerite?
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 michenerite with a known reference. Michenerite sits at Mohs 2.5-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Michenerite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Michenerite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, cream-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: anhedral grains, inclusions in other sulfides.
Often confused with
Michenerite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside michenerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with michenerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PdBiTe
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 9.5-9.8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains, Inclusions in Other Sulfides
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Magmatic Sulfide Deposits, Nickel-copper Ore Bodies
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find michenerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sudbury District, Ontario, Canada
- Stillwater Complex, Montana, USA
- Norilsk, Russia
- Bushveld Complex, South Africa
Field-hunting tip
Look in magmatic sulfide deposits, nickel-copper ore bodies country — that is the host setting where michenerite typically forms. If you start seeing chalcopyrite, pentlandite, pyrrhotite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains, inclusions in other sulfides habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find michenerite on the map
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