Telluropalladinite is a rare palladium telluride mineral found primarily in platinum-group element (PGE) deposits. It usually appears as microscopic, irregular grains within sulfide assemblages in mafic igneous rocks. It requires microscopic analysis or electron microprobe study for positive identification in a collection.
Is this telluropalladinite?
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 telluropalladinite with a known reference. Telluropalladinite sits at Mohs 3.5-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Telluropalladinite leaves a grey streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Telluropalladinite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, silver-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Telluropalladinite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Telluropalladinite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2.5); streak differs — Telluropalladinite leaves grey, Kotulskite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Telluropalladinite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 1.5-2).
Often found alongside telluropalladinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with telluropalladinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pd₉Te₄
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 9.56 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Grey
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Layered Mafic-ultramafic Igneous Complexes
- Typical price
- $100-500 per micro-mount or small specimen
Where rockhounds find telluropalladinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Stillwater Complex, Montana, USA
- Norilsk, Russia
- Lac des Iles, Ontario, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in layered mafic-ultramafic igneous complexes country — that is the host setting where telluropalladinite typically forms. If you start seeing chalcopyrite, pentlandite, pyrrhotite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify telluropalladinite?+
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Find telluropalladinite on the map
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