Sudburyite is a rare palladium antimonide mineral typically found as tiny metallic grains within massive sulfide deposits. It is most famous for its occurrence in the Sudbury Basin of Canada and is a prized find for advanced mineralogists and collectors of platinum-group element minerals.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

White

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Sudburyite

Hardness: 3.5
Luster: Metallic
Streak: White
Transparency: Opaque

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Is this sudburyite?

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

Often confused with

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

mineral

Stibiopalladinite

Mohs 4-5

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Sudburyite leaves white, Stibiopalladinite leaves black.

How to tell apart: Geversite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5 vs. 3.5); streak differs — Sudburyite leaves white, Geversite leaves black.

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Often found alongside sudburyite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: PdSb
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 9.5 g/cm³
Colors: White Pale Yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Grains
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Nickel-copper Sulfide Ores
Typical price: $50-300 per micro-mount

Where rockhounds find sudburyite

Classic worldwide localities

Sudbury Basin, Ontario, Canada
Stillwater Complex, Montana, USA
Norilsk, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in nickel-copper sulfide ores country — that is the host setting where sudburyite typically forms. If you start seeing sperrylite, pentlandite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify sudburyite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. It typically shows a metallic luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, pale yellow.

Where is sudburyite found?+

Notable localities include Sudbury Basin, Ontario, Canada; Stillwater Complex, Montana, USA; Norilsk, Russia.

How much is sudburyite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per micro-mount. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is sudburyite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains antimony, which can be toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust; wash hands after handling. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like sudburyite?+

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

What minerals are found with sudburyite?+

Sudburyite commonly co-occurs with Sperrylite, Pentlandite, Chalcopyrite, Pyrrhotite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does sudburyite form in?+

Sudburyite typically forms in nickel-copper sulfide ores. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is sudburyite used for?+

Sudburyite is used in collector.

Find sudburyite on the map

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