Crocoite: Tasmania’s Fiery Gem from the Red Lead Mine

Crocoite: Tasmania’s Fiery Gem from the Red Lead Mine

Introduction

In the rugged hills of western Tasmania lies one of the most iconic localities in the mineral world—the Red Lead Mine in Dundas. This remote and historic site is renowned for producing some of the world’s finest crocoite crystals, blazing with rich, fiery red and orange hues. For collectors and crystal lovers alike, crocoite from Dundas isn’t just a mineral—it’s a masterpiece forged by the Earth itself.

What Is Crocoite?

Crocoite is a rare lead chromate mineral with the chemical formula PbCrO₄. Its striking color—ranging from bright orange to deep crimson—comes from its chromium content. Crystals typically form as slender, prismatic structures, often in radiating or intergrown clusters, and are known for their fragile beauty and incredible luster.

Why Dundas, Tasmania?

Crocoite occurs in very few places on Earth, but nowhere is it more vividly beautiful than in Dundas, Tasmania. The Red Lead Mine, along with the nearby Adelaide and Zeehan-Dundas mines, has yielded specimens that are considered the benchmark for quality and aesthetics.

This region’s unique geological conditions allowed for the formation of crocoite in large, well-defined crystals, often growing freely in open vugs within the oxidized zones of lead ore deposits. The chromate source is thought to have originated from ultramafic rocks nearby, combining with galena-rich zones to produce these exceptional crocoite formations.

The Red Lead Mine Legacy

The Red Lead Mine is particularly famed for producing crocoite crystals with:

  • Intense, saturated red-orange coloration

  • Exceptional length and transparency

  • Minimal damage and matrix associations, making them highly desirable for collectors

Mining here has been intermittent and small-scale, mostly focused on collecting specimens rather than ore extraction. Because crocoite is fragile and often forms in cavities, careful, skilled hand-mining has been key to preserving the delicate beauty of these specimens.

A Collector’s Dream

Crocoite from the Red Lead Mine holds a special place in both private and museum collections around the globe. Prices can vary depending on size, crystal condition, and aesthetic appeal, but even small specimens are cherished due to their rarity and visual impact. At Minerals & Crystals Co Australia (crystals2collect.com) we have a large collection starting from AU$ 20. 

Because of their delicate nature, crocoite specimens should be:

  • Kept dry (they can degrade in high humidity)

  • Displayed in a stable, dust-free environment

  • Handled with extreme care—even the vibration from a moving shelf can break the crystals

The Spirit of Tasmania in Stone

There’s something deeply captivating about crocoite. It’s more than just a mineral—it’s a fiery symbol of Tasmania’s unique geology, a treasure born from Earth’s alchemy. For those lucky enough to own a piece from the Red Lead Mine, it’s not just a specimen—it’s a connection to a place where nature and color collide in the most spectacular way.

Interested in owning a crocoite from the Red Lead Mine?
Explore our latest arrivals—fresh from Tasmania, ready to ignite your collection.

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