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

3-4

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Palladseite

Hardness: 3-4
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 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Palladseite leaves a black streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Palladseite typically shows a metallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: massive, anhedral grains.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Potarite

Mohs 3.5-4

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Palladseite leaves black, Potarite leaves silver-white.

How to tell apart: Sperrylite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-7 vs. 3-4).

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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: 3-4
Density: 9.5-10.0 g/cm³
Colors: White Gray
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Massive, Anhedral Grains
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific Research
Host rock: Hydrothermal Platinum-group Element (PGE) Deposits
Typical price: $100-500 per micro-mount or small specimen

Where rockhounds find palladseite

Classic worldwide localities

Harz Mountains, Germany
Stillwater Complex, USA
Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa
Norilsk, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in hydrothermal platinum-group element (pge) deposits country — that is the host setting where palladseite typically forms. If you start seeing gold, platinum, sperrylite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify palladseite?+

Mohs hardness is 3-4. It typically shows a metallic luster. The streak is black. Common colors include white, gray.

Where is palladseite found?+

Notable localities include Harz Mountains, Germany; Stillwater Complex, USA; Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa; Norilsk, Russia.

How much is palladseite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $100-500 per micro-mount or small specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

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 Gold, Platinum, Sperrylite, Magnetite, Chalcopyrite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does palladseite form in?+

Palladseite typically forms in hydrothermal platinum-group element (pge) deposits. 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.