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 — Tulameenite leaves grey, Sperrylite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — 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 — that is 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
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Find tulameenite on the map
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