Milotaite is an extremely rare palladium antimony telluride mineral discovered in the Czech Republic. It is typically found as microscopic grains embedded within sulfide-rich hydrothermal ores, making it a highly sought-after species for mineralogical research and advanced collections.

Hardness

4.5

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Gray

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrareSulfosalt family

Milotaite

Hardness: 4.5
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Gray
Transparency: Opaque

No image

Is this milotaite?

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 milotaite with a known reference. Milotaite sits at Mohs 4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: gray.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: silver gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: inclusions.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Froodite

Mohs 2.5

How to tell apart: Milotaite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Milotaite leaves gray, Froodite leaves black.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Milotaite leaves gray, Kotulskite leaves black.

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Often found alongside milotaite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Pd(SbSe)
Mohs hardness: 4.5
Density: 7.95-8.23 g/cm³
Colors: Silver gray
Streak: Gray
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Inclusions
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: A low-temperature mineral in fractures in selenium-rich uraninite in calcite veins

Where rockhounds find milotaite

Classic worldwide localities

Found during systematic study of reference polished sections from Predborice, Czech Republic (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: A low-temperature mineral in fractures in selenium-rich uraninite in calcite veins. If you start seeing associated with bornite, selenian digenite, chrisstanleyite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: inclusions. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify milotaite?+

Mohs hardness is 4.5. Luster: metallic. The streak is gray. Common colors include silver gray.

Where is milotaite found?+

Notable localities include Found during systematic study of reference polished sections from Predborice, Czech Republic (type locality).

Is milotaite safe to handle?+

Milotaite contains antimony and selenium. Contains tellurium and antimony; wash hands thoroughly after handling and avoid inhaling dust or powder.

What rocks look like milotaite?+

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

What minerals are found with milotaite?+

Milotaite commonly co-occurs with Associated with bornite, Selenian digenite, Chrisstanleyite, Fischesserite, Gold, Silver-rich hakite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does milotaite form in?+

Where it forms: A low-temperature mineral in fractures in selenium-rich uraninite in calcite veins. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is milotaite used for?+

Milotaite is used in collector.

Find milotaite on the map

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