Crocoite

specimen number:
2072268

location:
Adelaide Mine, Dundas, Tasmania, Australia

description:
Attractive orange red lustrous prismatic crystals of crocoite on matrix. Minimal damage present, still in good condition.

The Adelaide Mine, located in the Dundas mineral field near Zeehan on the West Coast of Tasmania, Australia, is perhaps the world's most famous locality for the rare lead-chromate mineral crocoite. Geologically, the deposit formed through the oxidation of lead-bearing veins where they interacted with chromium-rich ultramafic rocks, specifically serpentinites, within the Dundas Trough. This unique chemical environment produced world-class specimens of crocoite characterized by elongated, hollow, prismatic crystals with a brilliant, saturated adamantine luster and a fiery reddish-orange color. Historically, the mine was first staked in the early 1890s and initially operated as a silver-lead mine during the regional mining boom. While industrial extraction for metal ore ceased in the early 20th century, the site was later revitalized as a dedicated specimen mine. Throughout the late 20th century and into the 2020s, the Adelaide Mine has been worked via specialized underground quarrying techniques to carefully recover fragile mineral pockets. Today, it remains an active and legendary site, consistently providing the international mineral market with what are widely considered the finest crocoite specimens ever discovered.

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