Crocoite

specimen number:
2072381

location:
Adelaide Mine, Dundas, Tasmania, Australia

description:
Bright orange red prismatic crystals of crocoite across the front of matrix. Typical of these slight damage present, this one is in good condition and very pretty.

The Adelaide Mine, located in the Dundas mineral field near Zeehan on the West Coast of Tasmania, Australia, is arguably the world's most famous locality for the rare lead-chromate mineral crocoite. Geologically, the deposit formed within a weathered gossan zone where lead-rich hydrothermal fluids interacted with chromium-bearing serpentinite rocks, resulting in the precipitation of vibrant, hyacinth-red to orange-red prismatic crystals. These crystals are noted for their exceptional length, hollow "needle" habits, and brilliant adamantine luster. Historically, the site was discovered in the 1890s and was initially worked for its silver-lead content during the regional mining boom that lasted through the early 1900s. While industrial-scale base metal extraction eventually ceased, the mine was repurposed in the mid-20th century specifically for the specimen mining of crocoite. Since the 1970s, the Adelaide Mine has been operated primarily by private leaseholders as a specialized specimen mine, with significant pockets of world-class crystals being discovered as recently as the 2010s and 2020s. As of 2026, it remains a prolific and active site, protected as a significant mineralogical landmark that continues to supply the international market with the finest examples of Tasmania's official state mineral.

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