Crocoite is prized by collectors for its stunning, intense orange-red color and delicate, needle-like crystal structure. It is most famous for the exceptional specimens found in the Dundas district of Tasmania, where it forms in the oxidized zone of lead deposits.
Is this crocoite?
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 crocoite with a known reference. Crocoite sits at Mohs 2.5-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Crocoite leaves a orange-yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Crocoite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: orange, red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: long, slender prismatic crystals, often hollow or acicular.
Often confused with
Crocoite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Crocoite leaves orange-yellow, Wulfenite leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Crocoite and resinous on Wulfenite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Crocoite leaves orange-yellow, Vanadinite leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Crocoite and resinous on Vanadinite.
Often found alongside crocoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with crocoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbCrO₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 6.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- Orange-yellow
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Long, Slender Prismatic Crystals, Often Hollow or Acicular
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Mineralogical Study
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Lead-bearing Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-500 thumbnail, $200-2000 cabinet specimen
Where rockhounds find crocoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Dundas, Tasmania, Australia
- Berezovsk, Ural Mountains, Russia
- Callenberg, Germany
- Arizona, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of lead-bearing hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where crocoite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, cerussite, pyromorphite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a long, slender prismatic crystals, often hollow or acicular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find crocoite on the map
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