Oulankaite is a rare platinum-group mineral typically found as microscopic inclusions within copper and iron sulfides. It is primarily identified through polished section analysis under reflected light in professional geological studies. Collectors value it for its occurrence in high-grade layered igneous complexes.

Hardness

3.5-4

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Oulankaite

Hardness: 3.5-4
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque

Is this oulankaite?

4-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 oulankaite with a known reference. Oulankaite sits at Mohs 3.5-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: rose, violet rose.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: platy, subhedral crystals.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside oulankaite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Pd₅Cu₄SnTe₂S₂
Mohs hardness: 3.5-4
Density: 10.27 g/cm³
Colors: RoseViolet rose
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Tetragonal
Crystal habit: Platy, subhedral crystals
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In hydrothermally altered, sulfide-rich pods and stringers of coarse-grained to pegmatitic gabbronorite, in a sill-like body of micro-gabbronorite

Where rockhounds find oulankaite

Classic worldwide localities

Nadezhda (“Hope”) Pd-Pt-Ag deposit, Lukkulaisvaara layered intrusion, northern Karelia, northwestern Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In hydrothermally altered, sulfide-rich pods and stringers of coarse-grained to pegmatitic gabbronorite, in a sill-like body of micro-gabbronorite. If you start seeing chalcopyrite, telargpalite, moncheite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy, subhedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify oulankaite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5-4. Luster: metallic. Common colors include rose, violet rose.

Where is oulankaite found?+

Notable localities include Nadezhda (“Hope”) Pd-Pt-Ag deposit, Lukkulaisvaara layered intrusion, northern Karelia, northwestern Russia.

Is oulankaite safe to handle?+

Oulankaite contains copper. Contains heavy metals; avoid dust inhalation and wash hands thoroughly after handling.

What rocks look like oulankaite?+

Oulankaite is most often confused with Chalcopyrite, Pentlandite, Pyrrhotite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with oulankaite?+

Oulankaite commonly co-occurs with Chalcopyrite, Telargpalite, Moncheite, Sperrylite, Tulameenite, Kotulskite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does oulankaite form in?+

Where it forms: In hydrothermally altered, sulfide-rich pods and stringers of coarse-grained to pegmatitic gabbronorite, in a sill-like body of micro-gabbronorite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is oulankaite used for?+

Oulankaite is used in collector.

Find oulankaite on the map

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