Paolovite is a rare palladium tin mineral typically occurring as microscopic inclusions within copper-nickel sulfide ores. It is primarily identified through laboratory analysis of ore sections where it appears as small, metallic silver-white grains among other platinum-group minerals.
Is this paolovite?
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 paolovite with a known reference. Paolovite sits at Mohs 3.5-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Paolovite leaves a greyish black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Paolovite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, silver-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Paolovite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Sperrylite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-7 vs. 3.5-4); streak differs — Paolovite leaves greyish black, Sperrylite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Paolovite leaves greyish black, Cooperite leaves black.
Often found alongside paolovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with paolovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pd₂Sn
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 11.2-11.4 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Greyish Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Copper-nickel Sulfide Deposits
- Typical price
- $200-800 per micro-mount specimen
Where rockhounds find paolovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Norilsk, Russia
- Stillwater Complex, USA
- Bushveld Complex, South Africa
Field-hunting tip
Look in copper-nickel sulfide deposits country — that is the host setting where paolovite typically forms. If you start seeing sperrylite, chalcopyrite, pentlandite 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
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Find paolovite on the map
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