Telargpalite is a rare palladium-silver telluride typically found as microscopic grains within massive sulfide ores. It is primarily identified through electron microprobe analysis and reflection microscopy due to its extremely small grain size and scarcity in nature.

Hardness

2-2.5

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Telargpalite

Hardness: 2-2.5
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

Is this telargpalite?

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 telargpalite with a known reference. Telargpalite sits at Mohs 2-2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: steel gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: microscopic crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Kotulskite

Mohs 4-4.5

How to tell apart: Kotulskite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-4.5 vs. 2-2.5).

Often found alongside telargpalite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: (Pd,Ag)₃Te
Mohs hardness: 2-2.5
Density: 7.375 g/cm³
Colors: Steel gray
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Microscopic crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific research
Host rock: In metasomatically altered Cu–Ni sulfide ores (Talnakh area, Russia); in the layered ultramafic Stillwater complex (Nye, Montana, USA)

Where rockhounds find telargpalite

Classic worldwide localities

Nye, Stillwater Co., Montana, USA
Oktyabr mine, Talnakh area, Noril’sk region, western Siberia (type locality), and in the Nadezhda deposit, Lukkulaisvaara layered intrusion, Karelia, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In metasomatically altered Cu–Ni sulfide ores (Talnakh area, Russia); in the layered ultramafic Stillwater complex (Nye, Montana, USA). If you start seeing chalcopyrite, bornite, millerite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify telargpalite?+

Mohs hardness is 2-2.5. Luster: metallic. The streak is black. Common colors include steel gray.

Where is telargpalite found?+

Notable localities include Nye, Stillwater Co., Montana, USA; Oktyabr mine, Talnakh area, Noril’sk region, western Siberia (type locality), and in the Nadezhda deposit, Lukkulaisvaara layered intrusion, Karelia, Russia.

Is telargpalite safe to handle?+

Contains tellurium; avoid inhaling dust or handling with bare skin during lapidary work as it is toxic and potentially harmful if ingested.

What rocks look like telargpalite?+

Telargpalite is most often confused with Kotulskite, Michenerite, Froodite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with telargpalite?+

Telargpalite commonly co-occurs with Chalcopyrite, Bornite, Millerite, Braggite, Silver, Kotulskite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does telargpalite form in?+

Where it forms: In metasomatically altered Cu–Ni sulfide ores (Talnakh area, Russia); in the layered ultramafic Stillwater complex (Nye, Montana, USA). Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is telargpalite used for?+

Telargpalite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find telargpalite on the map

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