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Crocoite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page kindly sponsored by PH, dedicated to JULIA ROSE HUGGINS
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About CrocoiteHide

Formula:
PbCr6+O4
Colour:
Orange, red, yellow; orange-red in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Sub-Adamantine, Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Specific Gravity:
5.97 - 6.02
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Originally recognized by Mikhail Vassil’evich Lomonosov in 1763 as a red lead ore. Johann Gottlob Lehmann in 1766 named it Nova Minera Plumbi. Various authors later gave the mineral a name signifying the presence of lead and the color red: minera plumbi rubra (Wallerius, 1778), Rothes bleierz (Werner, 1774), and Plomb rouge (Macquart, 1789). After the element chromium was announced in 1798, a new series of names was applied to the species: Plomb chromaté (Haüy, 1801), Kallochrom (Hausmann, 1813), etc. Renamed Crocise by François Sulpice Beudant in 1832 and Krokoisite by Franz von Kobell in 1838. Translated to the current pronunciation, Krokoit, by Johann August Breithaupt in 1841. Named Beresofite in 1844 by Charles Upham Shepard. Named Lehmannite by Henry J. Brooke and William H. Miller in 1852. The name crocoite comes from the Greek κρόκος "crocon" = saffron, alluding to the saffron-orange color of its powder.
Crocoite is commonly found as crystals, usually as long prismatic crystals and more rarely as equant crystals, but are most often poorly terminated, and are usually of a bright hyacinth-red color, which are translucent and have an adamantine to vitreous lustre. When fine-grained it can be bright yellow to orange, and some crystals are dark red.

Synthetic polymorphs are known.




Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
1157
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1157:6

Similar NamesHide

CarrockiteA rock subtype
CorkiteA valid IMA mineral species - grandfatheredPbFe33+(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6

IMA Classification of CrocoiteHide

Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Pb2+Cr6+O4

Classification of CrocoiteHide

7.FA.20

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
F : Chromates
A : Without additional anions
Dana 7th ed.:
35.3.1.1
35.3.1.1

35 : ANHYDROUS CHROMATES
3 : AXO4
27.2.5

27 : Sulphites, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
2 : Chromates

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
CrcIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of CrocoiteHide

Sub-Adamantine, Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Orange, red, yellow; orange-red in transmitted light.
Streak:
Yellow-orange
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
Distinct on {110}, indistinct on {001} and {100}.
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
5.97 - 6.02 g/cm3 (Measured)    5.97 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
6.06 (Dundas mat.); 6.12 (artificial mat.)

Optical Data of CrocoiteHide

Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 2.29(2) nβ = 2.36(2) nγ = 2.66(2)
2V:
Measured: 57° , Calculated: 54°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.370
Based on recorded range of RI values above.

Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.

Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.

Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.

Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).

This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure - the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are isogyres.

Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
very strong r > v inclined
Optical Extinction:
Y = b; Z ∧ c = 5.5°.
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
X = Red-orange
Y = Red-orange
Z = Blood red

Chemistry of CrocoiteHide

Mindat Formula:
PbCr6+O4
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Pb64.110 %
O19.802 %
Cr16.088 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Pb
O
Cr
Common Impurities:
Zn,S

Crystallography of CrocoiteHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.12 Å, b = 7.421 Å, c = 6.80 Å
β = 102.41°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.959 : 1 : 0.916
Unit Cell V:
350.90 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals commonly prismatic [001] to acicular crystals with nearly square outline; elongated parallel to [101]; pseudo-octahedral at times, with {111} {111}, or acute rhombohedral with {110} {h0l}. Faces usually smooth and brilliant; {110} commonly striated [001], and the steep orthodomes rounded or distorted. Crystals are often cavernous or hollow. Massive; imperfectly columnar to granular.

Forms include:
a{100}, b{010}, c{001}, α{310}, d{210}, g{320}, m{110}, ζ{350}, f{120}, h{101}, ρ{502}, n{401}, χ{801}, k{101}, x{301}, l{401}, ε{501}, θ{601}, w{012}, z{011}, y{021}, t{111}, π{221}, ϑ{331}, s{441}, λ{112}, γ{223}, v{111}, e{11.1.1}, ψ{911}, G{812}, N{711}, η{412}, q{12.4.1}, L{2.1.10}, g{841}, Q{953}, H{435}, δ{11.10.1}, p{13.1.5}, τ{911}, r{612}, A{511}, R{18.4.1}, ξ{411}, β{312}, φ{311}, F{621}, Y{931}, B{521}, u{211}, E{328}, o{8.7.10}, M{6.10.9}, σ{352}, i{123}, μ(154}, D{265}. Also an additional couple dozen probable forms.
Comment:
Space group P21/n.

Crystallographic forms of CrocoiteHide

Crystal Atlas:
Image Loading
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View 3D crystal model
Crocoite no.76 - {110} - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
View 3D crystal model
Crocoite no.111 - {110} - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by www.smorf.nl.

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Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0020242CrocoiteBandiello E, Errandonea D, Martinez-Garcia D, Santamaria-Perez D, Manjon F J (2012) Effects of high-pressure on the structural, vibrational, and electronic properties of monzanite-type PbCrO4 Physical Review B85 024108-102012Red Lead mine, Dundas, Tasmania, Australia0293
0019487CrocoiteEffenberger H, Pertlik F (1986) Four monazite type structures: comparison of SrCrO4, SrSeO4, PbCrO4 (crocoite), and PbSeO4 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 176 75-831986Dundas, Tasmania0293
0014540CrocoiteKnight K S (2000) A high temperature structural phase transition in crocoite (PbCrO4) at 1068 K: crystal structure refinement at 1073 K and thermal expansion tensor determination at 1000 K Mineralogical Magazine 64 291-3002000Dundas, Tasmania01073
0009297CrocoiteQuareni S, De Pieri R (1965) A three-dimensional refinement of the structure of crocoite, PbCrO4 Acta Crystallographica 19 287-28919650293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Loading XRD data...
Data Set:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
3.277 Å(100)
3.475 Å(80)
3.030 Å(60)
4.374 Å(50)
2.254 Å(50)
4.950 Å(30)
1.846 Å(30)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates]
47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals]
Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals<10 Ka
55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals
Geological Setting:
Uncommon secondary mineral in lead deposits associated with chromium-bearing rocks.

Type Occurrence of CrocoiteHide

Synonyms of CrocoiteHide

Other Language Names for CrocoiteHide

Relationship of Crocoite to other SpeciesHide

Other Members of Monazite Supergroup:
CheraliteCaTh(PO4)2Mon. 2/m
Gasparite GroupREE(AsO4)
HuttoniteThSiO4Mon. 2/m
Monazite GroupREE(PO4)
RooseveltiteBi(AsO4)Mon. 2/m

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
296 photos of Crocoite associated with PyromorphitePb5(PO4)3Cl
146 photos of Crocoite associated with VauquelinitePb2Cu(CrO4)(PO4)(OH)
123 photos of Crocoite associated with GibbsiteAl(OH)3
104 photos of Crocoite associated with DundasitePbAl2(CO3)2(OH)4 · H2O
38 photos of Crocoite associated with 'Chrome-Cerussite'PbCO3
36 photos of Crocoite associated with QuartzSiO2
33 photos of Crocoite associated with CerussitePbCO3
30 photos of Crocoite associated with 'Limonite'
26 photos of Crocoite associated with EmbreyitePb5(CrO4)2(PO4)2 · H2O
20 photos of Crocoite associated with GoethiteFe3+O(OH)

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

7.FA.05TarapacáiteK2(CrO4)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
7.FA.10ChromatiteCaCr6+O4Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I41/amd
7.FA.15HashemiteBaCr6+O4Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma

Fluorescence of CrocoiteHide

Not fluorescent in UV.

Other InformationHide

Health Risks:
Chromate minerals contain the carcinogenic and mutagenic chromate ion. Always wash hands after handling. Avoid inhaling dust when handling or breaking. Never lick or ingest. Do not pour chromate-containing solutions down the drain.

Internet Links for CrocoiteHide

References for CrocoiteHide

Reference List:

Localities for CrocoiteHide

Showing 113 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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Locality ListHide

- This locality has map coordinates listed. - This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. - Good crystals or important locality for species. - World class for species or very significant. (TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia
 
  • South Australia
    • Pastoral Unincorporated Area
      • Wadnaminga goldfield
  • Tasmania
    • Waratah-Wynyard municipality
      • Heazlewood district
Palache et al. (1951) +2 other references
        • Luina
www.crocoite.com (2001)
Palache et al. (1951)
      • Waratah district
        • Magnet
Dana 7:II:653. +1 other reference
    • West Coast municipality
      • Zeehan mining district
Mason (1976) +1 other reference
Palache et al. (1951) +2 other references
Bottrill et al. (2006)
Bottrill et al. (2008)
Bottrill et al. (2006)
Bottrill et al. (2006)
Bottrill et al. (2006)
R. Bottrill +1 other reference
Palache et al. (1951) +3 other references
Bottrill et al. +1 other reference
        • North Dundas
Bottrill et al. (2008)
        • Zeehan mineral field
          • Zeehan Queen mine ("Sylvester-Queen")
Bottrill et al. (2008)
  • Western Australia
    • Menzies Shire
      • Comet Vale
Grguric et al. (2006)
      • Menzies
Rox Resources Ltd (2004)
    • Westonia Shire
      • Westonia
Simpson et al. (1948)
Austria
 
  • Tyrol
    • Imst District
      • Tarrenz
Exel (1993)
Exel (1993)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
 
  • Republika Srpska
    • Prijedor
      • Ljubija
Marko Bermanec Collection
Brazil
 
  • Minas Gerais
Palache et al. (1951)
Historical labels
Eberhard Reich info taken from old ...
    • Mariana
I saw somes specimens in old mineral ...
Canada
 
  • Ontario
    • Algoma District
      • Nicolet Township
Sabina (1991)
Sabina (1991)
Sabina (1991)
Sabina (1991)
    • Thunder Bay District
      • Bomby Township
        • Hemlo gold deposit
Barrick Gold Corporation
  • Québec
    • Montréal
176-178. +2 other references
Chile
 
  • Antofagasta
    • Antofagasta Province
      • Sierra Gorda
        • Caracoles mining district
          • Caracoles
maurizio dini collection - analysed ...
Samples analysed by Dr. Jochen Schlüter (Hamburg University)
British Museum online catalogue 2007
China
 
  • Gansu
    • Baiyin
      • Baiyin District
        • Baiyinchang ore field
Guoying Chen and Wanmao Li (1991)
DR Congo
 
  • Lualaba
    • Mutshatsha
Lhoest (1992)
France
 
  • Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
    • Puy-de-Dôme
      • Riom
  • Nouvelle-Aquitaine
    • Dordogne
      • Nontron
        • Nontron
Laurent et al. (1967)
  • Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
    • Var
      • Draguignan
        • Callas
Mari et al. (1979)
Germany
 
  • North Rhine-Westphalia
    • Cologne
      • Euskirchen
Weiß (1990)
      • Oberbergischer Kreis
        • Gummersbach
          • Niedergelpe
EDX/XRD confirmed by Günter Blaß +1 other reference
  • Saxony
    • Zwickau District
      • Callenberg
Birch et al. (2000)
Italy
 
  • Piedmont
    • Metropolitan City of Turin
      • Balangero
Prete (1995)
  • Sardinia
    • South Sardinia Province
      • Villaputzu
//doi.org/10.57635/MICRO.2025.23.16
Jordan
 
  • Amman Governorate
    • Transjordan Plateau
      • Daba-Siwaqa complex
        • Hashem region
          • Lisdan-Siwaga Fault
            • Siwaga
              • Tulul al Hammam
Sokol +9 other references
Mexico
 
  • Jalisco
    • San Martín de Bolaños Municipality
      • San Martín de Bolaños Mining District
Panczner (1987)
Panczner (1987)
Dana 7:I:518. +1 other reference
Panczner (1987)
Mozambique
 
  • Manica Province
    • Manica District
Unpublished geological report. +1 other reference
Namibia
 
  • Otjozondjupa Region
    • Otavi Constituency
      • Kombat
Dunn (1991)
Philippines
 
Rutley (1902)
    • Bicol Region
      • Camarines Norte Province
Palache et al. (1951)
Poland
 
  • Silesian Voivodeship
    • Tarnowskie Góry County
      • Tarnowskie Góry
Traube (1888)
Romania
 
  • Bihor County
    • Nucet
Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference
Dana 6: 914.
  • Caraş-Severin County
    • Rusca Montană
Rădulescu
Russia
 
  • Amur Oblast
    • Tyndinsky district
Kepezhinskas et al. (2025)
  • Chelyabinsk Oblast
    • Verkhny Ufaley
Local geolofist S.V.Kolesnichenko data +1 other reference
  • Sverdlovsk Oblast
    • Beryozovsky
American Mineralogist: 73 (11-12) +2 other references
Cook (2007)
Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.)
        • Uspenskaya Hill
Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) +1 other reference
Lomonossow (1763) +2 other references
Koshkin (2014)
    • Nizhnii Tagil
Palache et al. (1951)
    • Rezhevsky District
Ponomarev et al. (2026)
Sehrig (2012)
    • Verkhnyaya Pyshma
Dmitry A. Khanin
Mason (1976)
Slovakia
 
  • Banská Bystrica Region
    • Brezno District
Koděra et al. (1986)
    • Revúca District
      • Jelšava
Koděra et al. (1986)
South Africa
 
  • Mpumalanga
    • Gert Sibande District Municipality
      • Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality
        • Carolina
Cairncross et al. (1995)
    • Nkangala District Municipality
      • Victor Khanye Local Municipality
        • Delmas
De Jager (1966)
Cairncross et al. (1995) +1 other reference
            • Dwarsfontein Farm
Cairncross et al. (1995)
              • Transvaal Mine
Cairncross et al. (1995)
SAMS (South African Micromount Society)
Tajikistan
 
  • Sughd
    • Mastchoh District
      • Altyn-Topkan ore field (Zarnisor ore field)
Badalov et al. (1975)
UK
 
  • England
    • Cornwall
      • Lezant
Weiß et al. (2001) +1 other reference
    • Cumbria
      • Allerdale
        • Caldbeck
Branston (1912) +1 other reference
Stanley et al. (1991)
      • Eden
        • Mungrisdale
Cooper et al. (1990)
Cooper et al. (1990)
  • Scotland
    • Dumfries and Galloway
      • Wanlockhead
        • Wanlock Dod-Whytes Cleuch
Day (1999)
    • South Lanarkshire
      • Leadhills
        • Wanlock Dod
Day (1999)
USA
 
  • Arizona
    • Gila County
      • Sierra Ancha Mountains
        • Sierra Ancha Mining District
Anthony et al. (1995)
    • Maricopa County
Silliman (1881) +2 other references
Silliman (1881) +2 other references
      • Gillespie
        • Black Butte
Anthony et al. (1995)
      • Osborn Mining District
        • Hummingbird Springs
Williams (1968) +2 other references
      • Vulture Mining District
Silliman (1881) +2 other references
Williams (1968) +2 other references
        • Vulture
Silliman (1881) +2 other references
    • Pima County
      • Comobabi Mountains
        • Cababi Mining District (Comobabi Mining District)
          • Ko Vaya
            • Mildren Mine group
Williams et al. (1963) +1 other reference
Williams et al. (1963) +1 other reference
    • Pinal County
      • Mammoth Mining District
        • Tiger
          • St. Anthony deposit
Palache et al. (1951)
    • Yavapai County
Michael Cline collection. RAMAN ...
      • Black Rock Mining District
Anthony et al. (1995)
  • California
    • Inyo County
      • Darwin Hills
Hanks (1884) +1 other reference
Palache et al. (1951)
Hall (1958) +2 other references
    • Riverside County
      • Hexie Mountains
        • Hexie District
          • Monument Mountain
Cal Div of Mines & Geo Bulletin 189 " ... +1 other reference
    • San Bernardino County
      • Silver Lake Mining District
        • Soda Mountains
          • Baker
            • Otto Mountain
Collected by Marek Chorazewicz. EDS ...
  • Colorado
    • Gunnison County
      • Willow Creek Mining District
The Williamson Southern Group
  • North Carolina
Genth et al. (1881)
Zimbabwe
 
  • Manicaland
    • Mutasa District
Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference
Bartholomew (1990)
 
and/or  
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