Phosgenite (classic locale)

Item Description

An impressive 3.3 x 1.5 cm terminated phosgenite crystal dominates this striking solid composite phosgenite miniature from the from the famous and closed Monteponi Mine on Sardinia. Classic and striking adamantine lustre highlights the well-striated gemmy and partially etched phosgenite. The world's finest examples of Phosgenite, Pb-carbonate with a Halide, easily come from this famous locale. Mining probably started in the area in the fifth and sixth centuries B.C for argentiferous galena and later zinc ores became important. The Monteponi Mine closed in 1997. See the excellent article in the 2014 Mineralogical Record, Vol. 45, No. 6. A very showy and classic phosgenite from the renowned locale.