Palladinite is a rare palladium oxide mineral that typically occurs as soft, earthy, or powdery coatings on gold or platinum-bearing rocks. It is most frequently found in the weathered oxidation zones of platinum-group metal deposits, where it forms through the alteration of primary palladium minerals.
Is this palladinite?
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 palladinite with a known reference. Palladinite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Palladinite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Palladinite typically shows a dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, orange, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: earthy coatings, pulverulent masses.
Often confused with
Palladinite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Limonite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-5.5 vs. 2); streak differs, so Palladinite leaves yellow, Limonite leaves yellowish-brown; luster reads dull on Palladinite and submetallic to earthy on Limonite.
How to tell apart: Iron Ore is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6.5 vs. 2); streak differs, so Palladinite leaves yellow, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads dull on Palladinite and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
Often found alongside palladinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with palladinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PdO
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 4.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Earthy Coatings, Pulverulent Masses
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Weathered Precious Metal Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find palladinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Ural Mountains, Russia
- Atacama Region, Chile
Field-hunting tip
Look in weathered precious metal deposits country, the host setting where palladinite typically forms. If you start seeing gold, hematite, platinum in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a earthy coatings, pulverulent masses habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find palladinite on the map
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