Lead chromate forming spectacular bright orange to red prismatic crystals. Relatively rare and highly prized by collectors. Color: Bright orange to red. Luster: Adamantine to vitreous. Streak: Orange-yellow. Cleavage: Poor. Hardness: 2.5-3. Transparency: Translucent. Crystal system: Monoclinic. Chemical formula: PbCrO₄. Specific gravity: 5.9-6.1. Formation: Forms in the oxidized zone of lead ore deposits where chromium-bearing solutions react with lead minerals. Common geological settings: Tasmania Australia , Russia, Brazil, Philippines; found in oxidized zones over chromium-bearing rocks. Common look-alikes and related entries: Wulfenite, Vanadinite, Realgar. Specimen safety: Keep this lead chromate specimen intact. Do not cut, grind, polish, streak, lick, heat, or use acid on it. Avoid creating or breathing dust, wash your hands with soap and water after handling, and keep it away from food, children, and pets.
These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.
Editorial owner
GeoMiner
Last updated
2026-03-30T14:37:08.796227+00:00
Review status
Published; not independently peer-reviewed
IMA–CNMNC List of Mineral Names — International Mineralogical Association. Official mineral-name, nomenclature, and classification records.
Mineral ID Key — Mineralogical Society of America. Physical-property identification methods, repeat-testing guidance, and limitations.
Lead: working safely — Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Canadian occupational-health guidance on lead exposure, dust control, hygiene, and safe handling.
Chromic acid and chromates — CDC/NIOSH. Official occupational-hazard and exposure-control information for chromates.
Lead chromate forming spectacular bright orange to red prismatic crystals. Relatively rare and highly prized by collectors.
How can you identify Crocoite?
Compare several properties rather than relying on colour alone. This entry records colour: Bright orange to red; lustre: Adamantine to vitreous; streak: Orange-yellow; Mohs hardness: 2.5-3; cleavage: Poor; crystal system: Monoclinic; transparency: Translucent. Confirm an important identification with additional field tests or qualified laboratory work.
How does Crocoite form?
Forms in the oxidized zone of lead ore deposits where chromium-bearing solutions react with lead minerals.
Where is Crocoite commonly found?
Tasmania Australia , Russia, Brazil, Philippines; found in oxidized zones over chromium-bearing rocks.
Is Crocoite safe to handle?
Keep this lead chromate specimen intact. Do not cut, grind, polish, streak, lick, heat, or use acid on it. Avoid creating or breathing dust, wash your hands with soap and water after handling, and keep it away from food, children, and pets. Avoid creating dust or using destructive tests on an unknown specimen, and follow site-specific safety procedures.
What is Crocoite commonly confused with?
Crocoite may be confused with Wulfenite, Vanadinite, Realgar. Compare multiple diagnostic properties because colour and surface appearance can overlap.
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