Phosgenite in Galena

A gorgeous tight cluster of transparent gemmy Phosgenite crystals fill a 2.5 x 1.5 cm vug in a matrix of solid, finely crystalline Galena. Phosgenite is a lead chloro-carbonate and is an iconic mineral from the Italian island of Sardinia; this specimen is from the Monteponi mine at Iglesias in Carbonia-Iglesias Province. The Phosgenite crystals form blocky tetragonal crystals of up to 1 cm across, all colourless, transparent and have a characteristic brilliant glassy lustre. The Galena matrix has been trimmed in the lab to outline the vug, so keeping the specimen compact and sitting at a perfect, slightly tilted angle from which to display the magnificent Phosgenite crystals.