Chromatite is an extremely rare calcium chromate mineral typically found as yellow crusts in hyper-arid desert environments. It is a highly sought-after rarity for advanced collectors due to its association with unique nitrate-rich evaporite deposits. Due to its chemical composition, it should be stored in a sealed container and handled with significant safety precautions.
Is this chromatite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch chromatite with a known reference. Chromatite sits at Mohs 2.5-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Chromatite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Chromatite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: crusts, granular.
Often confused with
Chromatite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Chromatite leaves yellow, Wulfenite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Chromatite and resinous to subadamantine to adamantine on Wulfenite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Chromatite leaves yellow, Crocoite leaves orange-yellow; luster reads vitreous on Chromatite and adamantine on Crocoite.
Often found alongside chromatite
Minerals reported to co-occur with chromatite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaCrO₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 3.51 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Crusts, Granular
- Cleavage
- One Prismatic, Poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Arid Evaporite Deposits
Where rockhounds find chromatite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ma'aleh Adumim, along the Jerusalem-Jericho highway, and in the Hatrurim Formation, Israel
Field-hunting tip
Look in arid evaporite deposits country, the host setting where chromatite typically forms. If you start seeing nitratine, halite, gypsum in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a crusts, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify chromatite?+
Where is chromatite found?+
Is chromatite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like chromatite?+
What minerals are found with chromatite?+
What kind of rock does chromatite form in?+
What is chromatite used for?+
Find chromatite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
