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Mineralpedia Details for Crocoite

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Crocoite

Crocoite

Named after the Greek word krokos, meaning “saffron,” in reference to the minerals spicy red-orange color that is comparable to saffron fronds. Crocoite is an uncommon to rare mineral that occurs in oxidized lead deposits that are associated with chromium-bearing rocks, and may also be of post-mine origin. Localities for Crocoite include in Russia, Romania, Germany, Scotland, England, France, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Australia, the Philippines, Brazil, and the United States, among a few others. Crocoite contains the chromate ion which is carcinogenic and mutagenic.

Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/crocoite.pdf

Formula
PbCrO4 
Crystal System
Monoclinic 
Crystal Habit
Crystalline - Coarse, Massive - Granular, Acicular 
Cleavage
Distinct, Indistinct, Indistinct 
Luster
Adamantine 
Color
yellow, orange, red, red orange 
Streak
yellowish orange 
Class
Monoclinic - Prismatic 
Fracture
Sectile 
Hardness
2.5-3 
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Crocoite from Red Lead mine, Dundas, Tasmania, Australia

Crocoite
            from Red Lead mine, Dundas, Tasmania, Australia

Bright red prismatic or acicular crystals up to 9mm. Crocoite is most often found crystallized and forms elongated {001} monoclinic hollowed prisms with poor terminations. The name is derived from word "crocon", which is Greek for the color saffron. Crocoite's colors can range from yellow-orange to a bright red as in this specimen. It is found in the oxidized zones of lead deposits in the presence of chromium bearing host rocks.

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Crocoite from Adelaide mine, Dundas, Tasmania, Australia

Crocoite
            from Adelaide mine, Dundas, Tasmania, Australia

Bright red prismatic crystals to 1cm.

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Crocoite from Berezovskoe Au dep., Berezovskii, Sverdlovskaya Oblast', Urals, Russia

Crocoite
            from Berezovskoe Au dep., Berezovskii, Sverdlovskaya Oblast', Urals, Russia

Deep red, tabular to elongated Crocoite crystals from 1-3mm. The crystals are outstanding and show nice luster once you look at them under a microscope. The green was originally marked on the Pinch label as Gorceixite. However, I believe there is some doubt about this occurence. 

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