Urvantsevite is a rare palladium-bismuth-lead mineral typically found in complex sulfide ores. It is primarily identified in microscopic grains within massive ore bodies, often requiring polished section analysis for positive identification.
Is this urvantsevite?
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 urvantsevite with a known reference. Urvantsevite sits at Mohs 2.5-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Urvantsevite leaves a grey streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Urvantsevite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: anhedral to subhedral grains.
Often confused with
Urvantsevite 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. 2.5-3); streak differs — Urvantsevite leaves grey, Sperrylite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Urvantsevite leaves grey, Kotulskite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Stannopalladinite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-5 vs. 2.5-3); streak differs — Urvantsevite leaves grey, Stannopalladinite leaves black.
Often found alongside urvantsevite
Minerals reported to co-occur with urvantsevite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pd(Bi,Pb)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 9.6-9.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- Grey
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral to Subhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Nickel-copper Sulfide Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per small specimen
Where rockhounds find urvantsevite
Classic worldwide localities
- Talnakh deposit, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in nickel-copper sulfide deposits country — that is the host setting where urvantsevite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, chalcopyrite, cubanite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral to subhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find urvantsevite on the map
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