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. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: steel gray, silver gray, silver white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: granular, hexagonal, tabular.
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, so Stibiopalladinite leaves black, Palladinite leaves yellow; luster reads metallic on Stibiopalladinite and dull on Palladinite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Granular, hexagonal, tabular
- Cleavage
- Indistinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Ore mineral
- Host rock
- An uncommon constituent of platinum deposits
Where rockhounds find stibiopalladinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Goodnews Bay, Alaska, USA
- Transvaal, South Africa, from Tweefontein Farm, Potgietersrust district, and from the Elephant Winze, near Rietfontein
- Department of Choco, Cauca, Colombia
- USSR, from the Morozova mine, Noril'sk region, western Siberia, and at Zlatoust, Ural Mountains
- Lac des Iles Complex, Ontario, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: An uncommon constituent of platinum deposits. If you start seeing braggite, cooperite, mertieite-ii in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular, hexagonal, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify stibiopalladinite?+
Where is stibiopalladinite found?+
Is stibiopalladinite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like stibiopalladinite?+
What minerals are found with stibiopalladinite?+
What kind of rock does stibiopalladinite form in?+
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Find stibiopalladinite on the map
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