Phosgenite
A variety of Minerals
What is Phosgenite?
Phosgenite is a rare, lead-containing mineral that forms lustrous, angular crystals. Though most specimens are colorless or pale yellow-brown, rare individuals may take on hues varying from pale green to light pink to violet-grey. The crystals exhibit fluorescence, glowing when exposed to certain lights. Phosgenite has few commercial or industrial uses, though outstanding crystal formations are highly sought-after by collectors.
Optical Properties
- Refractive Index
- 2.117-2.145
- Birefringence
- 0.028
- Pleochroism
- Weak
- Optical Character
- Biaxial positive
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Phosgenite Localities Map
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Key Characteristics
Formation of Phosgenite
The name phosgenite was given by August Breithaupt in 1820, from phosgene, carbon oxychloride, because the mineral contains the elements carbon, oxygen and chlorine. It was found associated with anglesite and matlockite in cavities within altered galena in a lead mine at Cromford, near Matlock: hence its common name cromfordite. Crystals are also found in galena at Monteponi near Iglesias in Sardinia, and near Dundas in Tasmania. It has also been reported from Laurium, Greece; Tarnowitz, Poland; the Altai district, Siberia; the Touissit mine, near Oujda, Morocco; Sidi Amor ben Salem, Tunisia; Tsumeb, Namibia; Broken Hill, New South Wales; and Boleo, near Santa Rosalia, Baja California. In the US it has been reported from the Terrible mine, Custer County, Colorado; the Stevenson-Bennett mine, Organ Mountains, Doña Ana County, New Mexico; and the Mammoth mine, Tiger, Pinal County, Arizona. Crystals of phosgenite, and also of the corresponding bromine compound PbBr2CO3, have been prepared artificially.
Health & Safety Information
- ⚠️Harm Reason: Phosgenite dust is toxic because it contains heavy metals Lead.
- ⚠️Heavy Metal: Lead
- ⚠️How to prevent the risks of Phosgenite?
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Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Colourless, white, yellow, brown, greenish, pink, colourless in transmitted light
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 2 - 3
- Density
- 6.124 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Crystal System
- Tetragonal
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- Pb2CO3Cl2
- Elements
- C, Cl, O, Pb
Also Known As
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