Crocoite | |
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General | |
Category | Chromate minerals |
Formula (repeating unit) | Lead Chromate PbCrO4 |
IMA symbol | Crc[1] |
Strunz classification | 7.FA.20 |
Crystal system | Monoclinic |
Crystal class | Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol) |
Space group | P21/n |
Unit cell | a = 7.12 Å, b = 7.421 Å, c = 6.8 Å; β = 102.41°; Z = 4 |
Identification | |
Color | Orange, red, yellow; orange-red in transmitted light. |
Crystal habit | Coarsely crystalline to acicular |
Cleavage | Distinct on {110} indistinct on {001} and {100} |
Fracture | Conchoidal to uneven |
Tenacity | Sectile |
Mohs scale hardness | 2.5–3 |
Luster | Adamantine, Sub-Adamantine, Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy |
Streak | Yellowish orange |
Diaphaneity | Transparent to translucent |
Specific gravity | 5.9–6.1 |
Optical properties | Biaxial (+) |
Refractive index | nα = 2.290(2) nβ = 2.360(2) nγ = 2.660(2) |
Birefringence | δ = 0.370 |
Pleochroism | Weak |
References | [2][3][4] |
Crocoite is a mineral consisting of lead chromate, PbCrO4, and crystallizing in the monoclinic crystal system. It is identical in composition with the artificial product chrome yellow used as a paint pigment.[5]