Nielsenite is a rare palladium-copper intermetallic mineral usually found as microscopic grains in complex magmatic sulfide deposits. It is best identified through reflected light microscopy or microprobe analysis rather than traditional hand-specimen inspection. Collectors generally encounter it only within specialized suites of platinum-group minerals from major layered intrusions.
Is this nielsenite?
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 nielsenite with a known reference. Nielsenite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Nielsenite leaves a metallic white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Nielsenite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, silver-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Nielsenite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Nielsenite leaves metallic white, Gold leaves golden yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Nielsenite leaves metallic white, Platinum leaves steel-gray.
How to tell apart: Palladium is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.75-5 vs. 3.5); streak differs — Nielsenite leaves metallic white, Palladium leaves silver-white.
Often found alongside nielsenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nielsenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PdCu₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 11.1 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Metallic White
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Layered Mafic-ultramafic Igneous Intrusions
- Typical price
- $50-300 for micro-specimens
Where rockhounds find nielsenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Stillwater Complex, Montana, USA
- Norilsk, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in layered mafic-ultramafic igneous intrusions country — that is the host setting where nielsenite typically forms. If you start seeing palladium, platinum, gold in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find nielsenite on the map
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