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 chlorocarbonate 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 with this species’ 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.