Tulameenite is a rare platinum-group mineral that typically occurs as small, metallic grains within placer deposits or altered ultramafic rocks. It is chemically distinct for its specific Pt-Fe-Cu composition and is primarily sought after by advanced collectors of rare platinum-group minerals.
Is this tulameenite?
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 tulameenite with a known reference. Tulameenite sits at Mohs 4.5-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Tulameenite leaves a grey streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Tulameenite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver-white, creamy-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains, disseminated inclusions.
Often confused with
Tulameenite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Sperrylite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-7 vs. 4.5-5); streak differs, so Tulameenite leaves grey, Sperrylite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Tulameenite leaves grey, Platinum leaves steel-gray.
Often found alongside tulameenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with tulameenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pt₂FeCu
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5-5
- Density
- 16.14 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Grey
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains, Disseminated Inclusions
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Geological Research
- Host rock
- Ultramafic Rocks and Placer Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per small specimen
Where rockhounds find tulameenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tulameen River, British Columbia, Canada
- Konder Massif, Russia
- Bushveld Complex, South Africa
- Ural Mountains, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in ultramafic rocks and placer deposits country, the host setting where tulameenite typically forms. If you start seeing platinum, magnetite, chromite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains, disseminated inclusions habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify tulameenite?+
Where is tulameenite found?+
How much is tulameenite worth?+
What rocks look like tulameenite?+
What minerals are found with tulameenite?+
What kind of rock does tulameenite form in?+
What is tulameenite used for?+
Find tulameenite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
