Phosgenite

$1,500.00

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The Phosgenite occurrence at the Monteponi mine at Iglesias on the Italian island of Sardinia is remarkable for the amount and quality of this relatively scarce lead chlorocarbonate. This lead-zinc mine began in 1901 and is now within the limits of the town of Monteponi. This miniature specimen is from the Dr Josef Clemente Collection, one of a few in his collection from this locality. A 4 x 3 x 1.3 cm Phosgenite crystal almost entirely covers the underlying granular Galena matrix, rich in vugs lined with micro-crystals of glassy Anglesite. It must be said the Phosgenite crystal is far from perfect, a trait typical of larger sized crystals. Only the prism faces of one side are displayed and neither termination is intact, due to lack of growth development space within the Galena matrix. However, it is a Phosgenite crystal of exceptional size and is beautiful in its own right. It is largely transparent to semi-transparent, one side being a smoky tan and the other, deep chocolate brown. An interesting old specimen complete with a partly defaced Krantz stock label. The accompanying video shows this specimen in white LED light and ultraviolet light. Under UV its fluoresces bright sulphur to lemon yellow.