Ungavaite is a very rare palladium-antimony mineral typically found as microscopic grains within sulfide-rich nickel-copper deposits. It is known primarily from its type locality in the Ungava region of Canada and requires professional analysis for positive identification.

Hardness

3-3.5

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Ungavaite

Hardness: 3-3.5
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque

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Is this ungavaite?

4-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 ungavaite with a known reference. Ungavaite sits at Mohs 3-3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: dark gray.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: granular.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Sudburyite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. 3-3.5).

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Often found alongside ungavaite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Pd₄Sb₃
Mohs hardness: 3-3.5
Density: 7.258 g/cm³
Colors: Dark gray
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Tetragonal
Crystal habit: Granular
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: As grains in heavy-mineral concentrates derived from drill-core from ultramafic rocks

Where rockhounds find ungavaite

Classic worldwide localities

Mesamax Northwest Ni-Cu-Co-PGE deposit, in the Cape Smith fold belt of the Ungava region, northern Quebec, Canada

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: As grains in heavy-mineral concentrates derived from drill-core from ultramafic rocks. If you start seeing chalcopyrite, cobaltite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify ungavaite?+

Mohs hardness is 3-3.5. Luster: metallic. Common colors include dark gray.

Where is ungavaite found?+

Notable localities include Mesamax Northwest Ni-Cu-Co-PGE deposit, in the Cape Smith fold belt of the Ungava region, northern Quebec, Canada.

Is ungavaite safe to handle?+

Ungavaite contains antimony. Contains palladium and antimony; handle with care and wash hands after handling to avoid ingestion or skin irritation.

What rocks look like ungavaite?+

Ungavaite is most often confused with Stibiopalladinite, Sudburyite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with ungavaite?+

Ungavaite commonly co-occurs with Chalcopyrite, Cobaltite, Galena, Magnetite, Pentlandite, Monoclinic pyrrhotite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does ungavaite form in?+

Where it forms: As grains in heavy-mineral concentrates derived from drill-core from ultramafic rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is ungavaite used for?+

Ungavaite is used in collector.

Find ungavaite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.