Palladosilicide is a very rare palladium silicide mineral typically occurring as microscopic grains within platinum-group element deposits. It is primarily found in association with base metal sulfides in layered mafic intrusions. Collectors usually find this species as minute inclusions within polished ore samples rather than distinct macroscopic crystals.

Hardness

5-5.5

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Palladosilicide

Hardness: 5-5.5
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque

No image

Is this palladosilicide?

4-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 palladosilicide with a known reference. Palladosilicide sits at Mohs 5-5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: silver-white, gray.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside palladosilicide

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Pd₂Si
Mohs hardness: 5-5.5
Density: 9.718-9.753 g/cm³
Colors: Silver-white Gray
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Anhedral grains
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In heavy mineral concentrates from layered mafic intrusions

Where rockhounds find palladosilicide

Classic worldwide localities

Stillwater complex, Montana, USA
Norilsk, Russia
Bushveld complex, South Africa

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In heavy mineral concentrates from layered mafic intrusions. If you start seeing chromite, pentlandite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify palladosilicide?+

Mohs hardness is 5-5.5. Luster: metallic. Common colors include silver-white, gray.

Where is palladosilicide found?+

Notable localities include Stillwater complex, Montana, USA; Norilsk, Russia; Bushveld complex, South Africa.

What rocks look like palladosilicide?+

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

What minerals are found with palladosilicide?+

Palladosilicide commonly co-occurs with Chromite, Pentlandite, Chalcopyrite, Magnetite, Gudmundite, Arsenopyrite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does palladosilicide form in?+

Where it forms: In heavy mineral concentrates from layered mafic intrusions. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is palladosilicide used for?+

Palladosilicide is used in collector.

Find palladosilicide on the map

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