Palladseite is a rare palladium selenide mineral that typically forms as minute grains within hydrothermal PGE-bearing sulfide deposits. Due to its microscopic nature and rarity, it is a highly sought-after species for advanced mineral collectors specializing in platinum-group minerals.

Hardness

4.5-5

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Palladseite

Hardness: 4.5-5
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

Is this palladseite?

5-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 palladseite with a known reference. Palladseite sits at Mohs 4.5-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: granular.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Potarite

Mohs 3.5

How to tell apart: Palladseite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5-5 vs. 3.5); streak differs, so Palladseite leaves black, Potarite leaves silver-white.

How to tell apart: Sperrylite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-7 vs. 4.5-5).

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Often found alongside palladseite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Pd₁₇Se₁₅
Mohs hardness: 4.5-5
Density: 8.30 g/cm³
Colors: White
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Granular
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific research
Host rock: Sparingly in residual concentrates from gold washings (Itabira district, Brazil); in specularite and magnetite (Cauê mine, Itabira district, Brazil)

Where rockhounds find palladseite

Classic worldwide localities

Minas Gerais, from gold placers in the Itabira district (type locality), and at the Cauê iron mine, Brazil
Serra Pelada Au–Pd–Pt deposit, Pará, Brazil

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Sparingly in residual concentrates from gold washings (Itabira district, Brazil); in specularite and magnetite (Cauê mine, Itabira district, Brazil). If you start seeing arsenopalladinite, isomertieite, atheneite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify palladseite?+

Mohs hardness is 4.5-5. Luster: metallic. The streak is black. Common colors include white.

Where is palladseite found?+

Notable localities include Minas Gerais, from gold placers in the Itabira district (type locality), and at the Cauê iron mine, Brazil; Serra Pelada Au–Pd–Pt deposit, Pará, Brazil.

Is palladseite safe to handle?+

Palladseite contains selenium. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

What rocks look like palladseite?+

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

What minerals are found with palladseite?+

Palladseite commonly co-occurs with Arsenopalladinite, Isomertieite, Atheneite, Palladian gold, Sudovikovite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does palladseite form in?+

Where it forms: Sparingly in residual concentrates from gold washings (Itabira district, Brazil); in specularite and magnetite (Cauê mine, Itabira district, Brazil). Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is palladseite used for?+

Palladseite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find palladseite on the map

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