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, 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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