Sobolevskite is a rare palladium bismuthide mineral found primarily in magmatic sulfide deposits. It typically occurs as microscopic grains or intergrowths with other platinum-group minerals, requiring magnification or chemical analysis for positive identification.
Is this sobolevskite?
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 sobolevskite with a known reference. Sobolevskite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Sobolevskite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Sobolevskite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, pinkish-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains, inclusions in other sulfides.
Often confused with
Sobolevskite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Sobolevskite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2.5).
How to tell apart: Sobolevskite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2.5).
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Sobolevskite leaves black, Telluropalladinite leaves grey.
Often found alongside sobolevskite
Minerals reported to co-occur with sobolevskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PdBi
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 9.4-9.6 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains, Inclusions in Other Sulfides
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Research
- Host rock
- Cu-Ni Sulfide Deposits in Mafic-ultramafic Igneous Complexes
- Typical price
- $50-200 per specimen
Where rockhounds find sobolevskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Talnakh deposit, Russia
- Stillwater Complex, USA
- Sudbury Basin, Canada
- Bushveld Complex, South Africa
Field-hunting tip
Look in cu-ni sulfide deposits in mafic-ultramafic igneous complexes country — that is the host setting where sobolevskite typically forms. If you start seeing chalcopyrite, cubanite, pentlandite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains, inclusions in other sulfides habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find sobolevskite on the map
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