Taimyrite is a rare palladium platinum copper mineral. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 1973, from material found at Talnakh, Norilsk, Taimyr Peninsula, Russia.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Taimyrite

Taimyrite is a rare palladium platinum copper mineral. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 1973, from material found at Talnakh, Norilsk, Taimyr Peninsula, Russia.

Hardness: 5
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

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Is this taimyrite?

5-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 taimyrite with a known reference. Taimyrite 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
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: bronze gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, twinning common.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Polarite

Mohs 3.5-4

How to tell apart: Taimyrite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5 vs. 3.5-4); streak differs, so Taimyrite leaves black, Polarite leaves white.

How to tell apart: Sperrylite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-7 vs. 5).

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Often found alongside taimyrite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: (Pd,Pt)₉Cu₃Sn₄
Mohs hardness: 5
Density: 15.6 g/cm³
Colors: Bronze gray
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Microscopic crystals, twinning common
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: As grains and veinlets near the contact between sulfide and rock-forming minerals in gabbro-dolerites

Where rockhounds find taimyrite

Classic worldwide localities

Talnakh, Tiamyr Peninsula, Norilsk, Russia (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: As grains and veinlets near the contact between sulfide and rock-forming minerals in gabbro-dolerites. If you start seeing chalcopyrite, cubanite, magnetite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, twinning common. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify taimyrite?+

Mohs hardness is 5. Luster: metallic. The streak is black. Common colors include bronze gray.

Where is taimyrite found?+

Notable localities include Talnakh, Tiamyr Peninsula, Norilsk, Russia (type locality).

Is taimyrite safe to handle?+

Taimyrite contains copper. Contains copper, which is toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust. Wash hands thoroughly after handling and avoid creating dust.

What rocks look like taimyrite?+

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

What minerals are found with taimyrite?+

Taimyrite commonly co-occurs with Chalcopyrite, Cubanite, Magnetite, Pentlandite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does taimyrite form in?+

Where it forms: As grains and veinlets near the contact between sulfide and rock-forming minerals in gabbro-dolerites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is taimyrite used for?+

Taimyrite is used in collector.

Find taimyrite on the map

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