Crocoíta
Crocoíta is a mineral with formula PbCrO₄, in the Cromatos group. This specimen comes from Adelaide Mine, Dundas, Zeehan, Tasmania, Australia.
Description
Single prismatic crystal with flat faces. Deep reddish-orange colour and adamantine lustre. Strong internal reflections under light.
About Crocoíta
Lead chromate that crystallises in the monoclinic system. It forms in the oxidation zone of lead deposits in the presence of chromium. Known for its intense orange colour and its fragility.
About the locality
The Dundas mine in Tasmania is the classic source of the most spectacular crocoite crystals, globally appreciated for their purity and size. Towards the end of the 19th century, Dundas experienced a boom as a silver mining town (lead and argentiferous galena). The first prospectors and miners arrived there in the 1880s. At one point, the population reached 1,081 census-registered people, only 76 of whom were women.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0239
- Composition
- PbCrO₄
- Name
- Crocoíta
- Group
- Cromatos
- Category
- Estélites
- Mine
- Adelaide Mine
- District / Municipality
- Dundas
- Province
- Zeehan
- Region
- Tasmania
- Country
- Australia
- Size (cm)
- 3.5 x 0.5 x 0.3
- Weight
- 3.5 g
- Etymology
- For its colour, from the Greek "krokos" (κρόκος), "saffron".
- Quality
- Muy buena
- Value trend
- Al alza