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.
Is this palladosilicide?
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 palladosilicide with a known reference. Palladosilicide sits at Mohs 5-5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Palladosilicide leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Palladosilicide typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver-white, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. 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
- 9.5-9.8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Mafic and Ultramafic Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- $100-500 for micro-specimens
Where rockhounds find palladosilicide
Classic worldwide localities
- Stillwater complex, Montana, USA
- Norilsk, Russia
- Bushveld complex, South Africa
Field-hunting tip
Look in mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks country — that is the host setting where palladosilicide typically forms. If you start seeing platinum, palladium, chalcopyrite 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 palladosilicide?+
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How much is palladosilicide worth?+
What rocks look like palladosilicide?+
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Find palladosilicide on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
