Palladobismutharsenide is a rare palladium mineral found primarily in platinum-group element-rich magmatic sulfide deposits. It usually occurs as microscopic anhedral grains intergrown with other platinum-group minerals and sulfides, requiring microscopic identification for positive confirmation.
Is this palladobismutharsenide?
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 palladobismutharsenide with a known reference. Palladobismutharsenide sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: microscopic crystals.
Often confused with
Palladobismutharsenide vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside palladobismutharsenide
Minerals reported to co-occur with palladobismutharsenide. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pd₂AsBi
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 10.86 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- From heavy mineral concentrates (Stillwater complex, Montana, USA)
Where rockhounds find palladobismutharsenide
Classic worldwide localities
- Banded and Upper Zones, Stillwater complex, Montana, USA (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: From heavy mineral concentrates (Stillwater complex, Montana, USA). If you start seeing palladoarsenide, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify palladobismutharsenide?+
Where is palladobismutharsenide found?+
Is palladobismutharsenide safe to handle?+
What rocks look like palladobismutharsenide?+
What minerals are found with palladobismutharsenide?+
What kind of rock does palladobismutharsenide form in?+
What is palladobismutharsenide used for?+
Find palladobismutharsenide on the map
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