Vasilite is an extremely rare palladium-copper sulfide mineral typically found in complex magmatic ore deposits. Collectors usually encounter it as microscopic grains embedded in metallic sulfide matrices, requiring careful microscopic analysis for identification.
Is this vasilite?
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 vasilite with a known reference. Vasilite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Vasilite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Vasilite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, silver-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: microscopic grains, anhedral masses.
Often confused with
Vasilite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Vasilite leaves black, Potarite leaves silver-white.
How to tell apart: Sperrylite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-7 vs. 3).
How to tell apart: Cooperite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-5 vs. 3).
Often found alongside vasilite
Minerals reported to co-occur with vasilite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Pd,Cu)₁₆S₇
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 9.4-9.6 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic Grains, Anhedral Masses
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins, Magmatic Sulfide Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 for micro-specimens
Where rockhounds find vasilite
Classic worldwide localities
- Vasilkovskoye deposit, Kazakhstan
- Norilsk, Russia
- Bushveld Complex, South Africa
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins, magmatic sulfide deposits country — that is the host setting where vasilite typically forms. If you start seeing chalcopyrite, bornite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a microscopic grains, anhedral masses habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find vasilite on the map
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