Skaergaardite is a rare palladium-copper intermetallic mineral that typically occurs as microscopic inclusions within other metallic minerals. It is primarily recognized as a significant component of platinum-group element mineralization in layered igneous complexes.
Is this skaergaardite?
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 skaergaardite with a known reference. Skaergaardite sits at Mohs 4-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: steel gray, bronze gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: anhedral grains, subhedral crystals.
Often confused with
Skaergaardite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside skaergaardite
Minerals reported to co-occur with skaergaardite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PdCu
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 10.64 g/cm³
- Colors
- Steel grayBronze gray
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains, subhedral crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Research
- Host rock
- In mafic-ultramafic layered intrusions associated with sulfide minerals possibly formed from immiscible melts
Where rockhounds find skaergaardite
Classic worldwide localities
- Marathon deposit, Coldwell Complex, Ontario, Canada, USA
- Monchetundra deposit, Kola Peninsula, and the Konder zoned alkali-ultrabasic massif, Russia, USA
- J-M Reef, Stillwater Complex, Montana, and the South Kawishiwi intrusion, Duluth Complex, Minnesota, USA
- Skaergaard intrusion, Kangerdlugssuaq area, Greenland (type locality)
- Kirakkajuppura PGE deposit, Penikat layered intrusion, Finland
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In mafic-ultramafic layered intrusions associated with sulfide minerals possibly formed from immiscible melts. If you start seeing nielsenite, keithconnite, vasilite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains, subhedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify skaergaardite?+
Where is skaergaardite found?+
Is skaergaardite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like skaergaardite?+
What minerals are found with skaergaardite?+
What kind of rock does skaergaardite form in?+
What is skaergaardite used for?+
Find skaergaardite on the map
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