Miessiite is a rare palladium telluride-selenide mineral typically found as microscopic grains within massive sulfide ore bodies. It is primarily identified through electron microprobe analysis due to its minute size and close association with other platinum-group minerals.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

White

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrarenull family

Miessiite

Hardness: 2
Luster: Metallic
Streak: White
Transparency: Opaque

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Is this miessiite?

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 miessiite with a known reference. Miessiite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Miessiite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Miessiite typically shows a metallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, pale yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: anhedral to subhedral grains.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Kotulskite

Mohs 2.5

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Miessiite leaves white, Kotulskite leaves black.

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Miessiite leaves white, Merenskyite leaves grey.

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Often found alongside miessiite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Pd₁₁Te₂Se₂
Mohs hardness: 2
Density: 9.5 g/cm³
Colors: White Pale Yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Anhedral to Subhedral Grains
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Mafic-ultramafic Igneous Rocks
Typical price: $100-500 for micro-mounts

Where rockhounds find miessiite

Classic worldwide localities

Miessi, Finland
Stillwater Complex, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in mafic-ultramafic igneous rocks country — that is the host setting where miessiite typically forms. If you start seeing chalcopyrite, pentlandite, pyrrhotite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral to subhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify miessiite?+

Mohs hardness is 2. It typically shows a metallic luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, pale yellow.

Where is miessiite found?+

Notable localities include Miessi, Finland; Stillwater Complex, USA.

How much is miessiite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $100-500 for micro-mounts. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is miessiite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains tellurium and palladium; handle with care and avoid inhalation of dust during sample preparation. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like miessiite?+

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

What minerals are found with miessiite?+

Miessiite commonly co-occurs with Chalcopyrite, Pentlandite, Pyrrhotite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does miessiite form in?+

Miessiite typically forms in mafic-ultramafic igneous rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is miessiite used for?+

Miessiite is used in collector.

Find miessiite on the map

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