Palladobismutharsenide is a rare palladium mineral found primarily in platinum-group element-rich magmatic sulfide deposits. It usually occurs as microscopic anhedral grains intergrown with other platinum-group minerals and sulfides, requiring microscopic identification for positive confirmation.
Is this palladobismutharsenide?
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 palladobismutharsenide with a known reference. Palladobismutharsenide sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Palladobismutharsenide leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Palladobismutharsenide typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Palladobismutharsenide vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside palladobismutharsenide
Minerals reported to co-occur with palladobismutharsenide. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pd₂AsBi
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 9.95 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Magmatic Sulfide Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500 per specimen
Where rockhounds find palladobismutharsenide
Classic worldwide localities
- Norilsk, Russia
- Stillwater Complex, USA
- Bushveld Complex, South Africa
Field-hunting tip
Look in magmatic sulfide deposits country — that is the host setting where palladobismutharsenide typically forms. If you start seeing chalcopyrite, pentlandite, bornite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify palladobismutharsenide?+
Where is palladobismutharsenide found?+
How much is palladobismutharsenide worth?+
Is palladobismutharsenide safe to handle?+
What rocks look like palladobismutharsenide?+
What minerals are found with palladobismutharsenide?+
What kind of rock does palladobismutharsenide form in?+
What is palladobismutharsenide used for?+
Find palladobismutharsenide on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
