Phosgenite

Unknown Owner

Classic Italian specimen with a crystal of phosgenite 1.6 cm in size embedded up on a matrix of galena. Brightly fluorescent, this is in good condition. The specimen comes with an antique label that would date this to the very early 20th century. The label is shown at the end of the video. Mining in Iglesias, Sardinia has a long history dating back to Phoenician and Roman times when lead and silver were extracted from rich vein deposits in the surrounding hills. The district later expanded under Spanish and then Italian control, with numerous underground mines developed to work lead, zinc, and silver ores hosted in carbonate rocks. During the 19th and 20th centuries Iglesias became one of Italys most important mining centers, supporting smelting works and a growing local economy. Production declined in the late 20th century, and today the area is recognized for its historic mine sites and well known mineral specimens such as galena, sphalerite, and cerussite.