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, so 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, 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.