Potarite is a rare palladium-mercury intermetallic compound found primarily in alluvial diamond-bearing gravels. It typically occurs as small, silvery-white metallic grains or nuggets that are notable for their unusually high density due to their mercury content.

Hardness

3.5-4

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Silver-white

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Potarite

Hardness: 3.5-4
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Silver-white
Transparency: Opaque

Is this potarite?

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 potarite with a known reference. Potarite sits at Mohs 3.5-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Potarite leaves a silver-white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Potarite typically shows a metallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, silver-white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: grains, small nuggets, massive.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Palladium is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.75-5 vs. 3.5-4).

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Often found alongside potarite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: PdHg
Mohs hardness: 3.5-4
Density: 15.0-16.0 g/cm³
Colors: White Silver-white
Streak: Silver-white
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Tetragonal
Crystal habit: Grains, Small Nuggets, Massive
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific Study
Host rock: Alluvial Deposits, Ultramafic Igneous Rocks
Typical price: $100-500+ depending on size and provenance

Where rockhounds find potarite

Classic worldwide localities

Potaro River, Guyana
Itabira, Brazil
Koryak Mountains, Russia
Bushveld Complex, South Africa

Field-hunting tip

Look in alluvial deposits, ultramafic igneous rocks country, the host setting where potarite typically forms. If you start seeing gold, platinum, hematite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a grains, small nuggets, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify potarite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5-4. It typically shows a metallic luster. The streak is silver-white. Common colors include white, silver-white.

Where is potarite found?+

Notable localities include Potaro River, Guyana; Itabira, Brazil; Koryak Mountains, Russia; Bushveld Complex, South Africa.

How much is potarite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $100-500+ depending on size and provenance. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is potarite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains mercury, which is highly toxic. Handle with care, avoid contact with skin, ingestion, or inhalation of dust, and wash hands thoroughly after handling. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like potarite?+

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

What minerals are found with potarite?+

Potarite commonly co-occurs with gold, platinum, hematite, quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does potarite form in?+

Potarite typically forms in alluvial deposits, ultramafic igneous rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is potarite used for?+

Potarite is used in collector, scientific study.

Find potarite on the map

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