Crocoite
Species
Rare · PbCrO₄
Lead chromate forming brilliant orange prismatic crystals in the oxidised zones of lead deposits where chromium-bearing rocks are present. The finest specimens come from Dundas, Tasmania. Soft and fragile despite its spectacular appearance.
Identity
- Formula
- PbCrO₄
- Chemical class
- Chromate
- Also known as
- Red lead ore
Crystallography
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Habits
- Prismatic, Acicular, Massive
- Fracture
- conchoidal to uneven
Physical properties
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 6 g/cm³
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Colors
- orange-red, red, orange
- Streak
- orange-yellow
- Transparency
- Transparent, Translucent
Geology
- Origins
- Sedimentary
- Associated minerals
- Cerussite, Vanadinite, Wulfenite, Pyromorphite
- Found in
- Oxidized zone (gossan)
- Geography
- Australia (Tasmania), Russia (Ural Mountains), Brazil, Philippines
Classification
- Rarity
- Rare
- Gem quality
- Yes
Arcane properties
- Affinity
- Fire, Earth
- Effects
- Elemental fire
- Planar origin
- Material Plane
Sources
- M. Pasero and others, IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification, The New IMA List of Minerals, updated September 2026. International Mineralogical Association (CNMNC), 2026.
- J. W. Anthony, R. A. Bideaux, K. W. Bladh, M. C. Nichols, Crocoite. Mineral Data Publishing, Handbook of Mineralogy, 2001.
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