Palladodymite is a rare palladium arsenide typically found in trace amounts within platinum-group element (PGE) deposits. It usually occurs as microscopic grains within ore minerals and is highly sought after by advanced systematic collectors of platinum-group minerals.

Hardness

Mohs

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Palladodymite

Hardness: ~5
Transparency: Opaque

No image

Is this palladodymite?

3-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 palladodymite with a known reference. Palladodymite sits at Mohs ~5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, light gray.
3
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: inclusions, microscopic crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Arsenopalladinite

Mohs 4

How to tell apart: Palladodymite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~5 vs. 4).

Often found alongside palladodymite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Pd₂As
Mohs hardness: ~5
Density: 11.3 g/cm³
Colors: White Light gray
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Inclusions, microscopic crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In a small fluvial placer deposit (Russia, Zimbabwe); in chromitite xenoliths in ultramafic pipes (South Africa)

Where rockhounds find palladodymite

Classic worldwide localities

Upper Miass River, southern Urals, Russia
Onverwacht and Tweefontein ultramafic pipes, eastern Bushveld Complex, South Africa
Umsweswe River sediment, Zimbabwe

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In a small fluvial placer deposit (Russia, Zimbabwe); in chromitite xenoliths in ultramafic pipes (South Africa). If you start seeing ruthenium, isoferroplatinum, cherepanovite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: inclusions, microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify palladodymite?+

Mohs hardness is ~5. Common colors include white, light gray.

Where is palladodymite found?+

Notable localities include Upper Miass River, southern Urals, Russia; Onverwacht and Tweefontein ultramafic pipes, eastern Bushveld Complex, South Africa; Umsweswe River sediment, Zimbabwe.

Is palladodymite safe to handle?+

Palladodymite contains arsenic and calls for real care. Contains arsenic, which is toxic; handle with care and wash hands thoroughly after handling. Do not ingest dust or inhale particles during specimen preparation.

What rocks look like palladodymite?+

Palladodymite is most often confused with Arsenopalladinite, Stillwaterite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with palladodymite?+

Palladodymite commonly co-occurs with Ruthenium, Isoferroplatinum, Cherepanovite, Irarsite, Hongshiite, Sperrylite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does palladodymite form in?+

Where it forms: In a small fluvial placer deposit (Russia, Zimbabwe); in chromitite xenoliths in ultramafic pipes (South Africa). Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is palladodymite used for?+

Palladodymite is used in collector.

Find palladodymite on the map

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