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 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Norilskite leaves a silver-white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Norilskite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver-white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. 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 — Norilskite leaves silver-white, Platinum leaves steel-gray.
How to tell apart: Palladium is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.75-5 vs. 3-4).
How to tell apart: Sperrylite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-7 vs. 3-4); streak differs — Norilskite leaves silver-white, 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,Pt,Cu)₃Pb
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 15-16 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Silver-white
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains, Inclusions
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Copper-nickel Sulfide Deposits in Mafic-ultramafic Igneous Intrusions
- Typical price
- $50-300 per small specimen
Where rockhounds find norilskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Talnakh deposit, Norilsk, Russia
- Oktyabrskoye deposit, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in copper-nickel sulfide deposits in mafic-ultramafic igneous intrusions country — that is the host setting where norilskite typically forms. If you start seeing chalcopyrite, cubanite, pentlandite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains, inclusions habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify norilskite?+
Where is norilskite found?+
How much is norilskite worth?+
Is norilskite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like norilskite?+
What minerals are found with norilskite?+
What kind of rock does norilskite form in?+
What is norilskite used for?+
Find norilskite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
