Stibiopalladinite is a rare palladium-antimony mineral typically found as small grains in platinum-group element (PGE) deposits. It exhibits a bright metallic luster and is primarily recognized through microscopic analysis within polished ore sections, as distinct crystal specimens are exceptionally rare for collectors.
Is this stibiopalladinite?
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 stibiopalladinite with a known reference. Stibiopalladinite 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. Stibiopalladinite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Stibiopalladinite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, silver-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains, granular.
Often confused with
Stibiopalladinite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Stibiopalladinite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4-5 vs. 2); streak differs — Stibiopalladinite leaves black, Palladinite leaves yellow; luster reads metallic on Stibiopalladinite and dull on Palladinite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Stibiopalladinite leaves black, Potarite leaves silver-white.
Often found alongside stibiopalladinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with stibiopalladinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pd₅Sb₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 9.5-9.6 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains, Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Ore Mineral
- Host rock
- Layered Mafic-ultramafic Igneous Intrusions
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen size and purity
Where rockhounds find stibiopalladinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bushveld Complex, South Africa
- Stillwater Complex, USA
- Norilsk, Russia
- Lac des Iles, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in layered mafic-ultramafic igneous intrusions country — that is the host setting where stibiopalladinite typically forms. If you start seeing sperrylite, chalcopyrite, pentlandite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify stibiopalladinite?+
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How much is stibiopalladinite worth?+
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What rocks look like stibiopalladinite?+
What minerals are found with stibiopalladinite?+
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Find stibiopalladinite on the map
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