Norilskite is a rare palladium-platinum-lead alloy typically found as microscopic inclusions within copper-nickel sulfide ores. It is primarily identified in polished sections via reflected-light microscopy or electron probe microanalysis due to its metallic luster and silver-white coloration. Collectors usually acquire it as part of complex mineral assemblages from the famous Norilsk-Talnakh mining district in Russia.
Is this norilskite?
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 norilskite with a known reference. Norilskite sits at Mohs ~4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver-white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains, inclusions.
Often confused with
Norilskite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Norilskite leaves gray, Platinum leaves grayish white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Norilskite leaves gray, Palladium leaves silver-white.
How to tell apart: Sperrylite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-7 vs. ~4); streak differs, so Norilskite leaves gray, Sperrylite leaves black.
Often found alongside norilskite
Minerals reported to co-occur with norilskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Pd,Ag)₇Pb₄
- Mohs hardness
- ~4
- Density
- 12.99 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains, inclusions
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Formed in a differentiated mafic intrusion
Where rockhounds find norilskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mayak and Komsomolsky mines, Talnakh deposit, Noril’sk district, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Formed in a differentiated mafic intrusion. If you start seeing polarite, zvyagintsevite, pd-rich tetra-auricupride in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains, inclusions. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find norilskite on the map
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