Vincentite is a rare palladium arsenide. It is associated with platinum and osmium. It was first described from Riam Kanen River, S.E. Borneo.

Hardness

Mohs

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Vincentite

Vincentite is a rare palladium arsenide. It is associated with platinum and osmium. It was first described from Riam Kanen River, S.E. Borneo.

Hardness: 5
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

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Is this vincentite?

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 vincentite with a known reference. Vincentite sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: gray.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: anhedral grains, interstitial.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Vincentite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5 vs. ~3.5); streak differs, so Vincentite leaves black, Merenskyite leaves gray.

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Often found alongside vincentite

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

Platinum
mineral · Mohs 4-4.5

All properties

Chemical formula: Pd₃As
Mohs hardness: 5
Density: 6.816 g/cm³
Colors: Gray
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Anhedral grains, interstitial
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: As inclusions in Fe-bearing palladium grains in sediment concentrates from the Riam Kanen River, S.E. Borneo

Where rockhounds find vincentite

Classic worldwide localities

Riam Kanen River, S.E. Borneo

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: As inclusions in Fe-bearing palladium grains in sediment concentrates from the Riam Kanen River, S.E. Borneo. If you start seeing platinum, osmium in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains, interstitial. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify vincentite?+

Mohs hardness is 5. The streak is black. Common colors include gray.

Where is vincentite found?+

Notable localities include Riam Kanen River, S.E. Borneo.

Is vincentite safe to handle?+

Vincentite contains arsenic and calls for real care. Contains arsenic, which is toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust. Wash hands thoroughly after handling and avoid creating dust.

What rocks look like vincentite?+

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

What minerals are found with vincentite?+

Vincentite commonly co-occurs with Platinum, Osmium. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does vincentite form in?+

Where it forms: As inclusions in Fe-bearing palladium grains in sediment concentrates from the Riam Kanen River, S.E. Borneo. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is vincentite used for?+

Vincentite is used in collector.

Find vincentite on the map

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