Palladoarsenide is a rare palladium arsenide typically found as minute grains within platinum-group mineral deposits. It is primarily identified through reflected light microscopy or microprobe analysis, as it rarely forms macroscopically visible crystals.
Is this palladoarsenide?
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 palladoarsenide with a known reference. Palladoarsenide sits at Mohs 3.5-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Palladoarsenide leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Palladoarsenide typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: tin-white, light gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: anhedral grains, microscopic inclusions.
Often confused with
Palladoarsenide vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside palladoarsenide
Minerals reported to co-occur with palladoarsenide. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pd₂As
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 9.5-9.6 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains, Microscopic Inclusions
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Ultramafic Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 for micro-mount specimens
Where rockhounds find palladoarsenide
Classic worldwide localities
- Stillwater Complex, USA
- Norilsk, Russia
- Bushveld Complex, South Africa
Field-hunting tip
Look in ultramafic igneous rocks country — that is the host setting where palladoarsenide typically forms. If you start seeing platinum group minerals, chalcopyrite, pentlandite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains, microscopic inclusions habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find palladoarsenide on the map
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