Crimsonite is a rare lead iron phosphate that forms deep red with a slight purplish cast blades. It is a low-temperature, secondary, oxidation-zone mineral. It was first described from the Phosphate stope, Silver Coin mine, Valmy, Iron Point district, Humboldt County, Nevada, USA.
Is this crimsonite?
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 crimsonite with a known reference. Crimsonite sits at Mohs ~3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: light purplish orange.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, crimson.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: blades.
Often confused with
Crimsonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Crimsonite leaves light purplish orange, Lepidolite leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Crimsonite and pearly to vitreous on Lepidolite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Crimsonite leaves light purplish orange, Triphylite leaves white to grayish white; luster reads adamantine on Crimsonite and vitreous to subresinous on Triphylite.
Often found alongside crimsonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with crimsonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbFe³⁺₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- ~3.5
- Density
- 5.180 g/cm³
- Colors
- RedCrimson
- Streak
- Light purplish orange
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Blades
- Cleavage
- None observed; imperfect on {101} (by analogy to carminite)
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A low-temperature, secondary, oxidation-zone mineral
Where rockhounds find crimsonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Phosphate stope, Silver Coin mine, Valmy, Iron Point district, Humboldt County, Nevada, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A low-temperature, secondary, oxidation-zone mineral. If you start seeing fluorwavellite, goethite, hematite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: blades. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify crimsonite?+
Where is crimsonite found?+
Is crimsonite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like crimsonite?+
What minerals are found with crimsonite?+
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Find crimsonite on the map
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