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 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Telluropalladinite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
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
- 5
- Density
- 10.25 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- As tiny grains in mineral concentrates
Where rockhounds find telluropalladinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Banded and Upper Zones of the Stillwater Complex, Montana, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: As tiny grains in mineral concentrates. If you start seeing keithconnite, magnetite, kotulskite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify telluropalladinite?+
Where is telluropalladinite found?+
Is telluropalladinite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like telluropalladinite?+
What minerals are found with telluropalladinite?+
What kind of rock does telluropalladinite form in?+
What is telluropalladinite used for?+
Find telluropalladinite on the map
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