Fluorocronite is a rare lead phosphate member of the apatite group. It typically appears as small, colorless hexagonal prisms in high-grade metamorphic ore deposits and is highly sought after by systematic mineral collectors.
Is this fluorocronite?
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 fluorocronite with a known reference. Fluorocronite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Fluorocronite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Fluorocronite and resinous to subadamantine on Pyromorphite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Fluorocronite and resinous to subadamantine on Mimetite.
How to tell apart: Apatite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 3-4); luster reads pearly on Fluorocronite and vitreous on Apatite.
Often found alongside fluorocronite
Minerals reported to co-occur with fluorocronite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbF₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 7.619 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {111}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A weathering product of hydrothermal Sn-Ag polymetallic veins
Where rockhounds find fluorocronite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kupol’noe deposit, northern Sarychev range, Sakha Republic, Russian Federation
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A weathering product of hydrothermal Sn-Ag polymetallic veins. If you start seeing cassiterite, quartz, anglesite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find fluorocronite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
