Phosgenite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Phosgenite
Formula:
Pb2CO3Cl2
Colour:
Colourless, white, yellow, brown, greenish or pink; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
6.12 - 6.15
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
From phosgen, a name for carbonyl dichloride, COCl2, because the mineral contains carbon, oxygen, and chlorine.
Phosgenite is formed in the oxidation zone of lead ore deposits, especially where sea water is present or other sources of chlorine.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Phosgenite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3195
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3195:6
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
55f7ef3b-dec9-4dc0-b366-a0b98fff3068
IMA Classification of Phosgenite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Pb2(CO3)Cl2
Classification of Phosgenite
5.BE.20
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
E : With Pb, Bi
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
E : With Pb, Bi
16a.3.4.1
16a : ANHYDROUS CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : (AB)2(XO3)Zq
16a : ANHYDROUS CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : (AB)2(XO3)Zq
12.1.23
12 : Carbonates with other anions
1 : Carbonates with halides
12 : Carbonates with other anions
1 : Carbonates with halides
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Pho | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Phosgenite
Pronunciation:
Play | Recorded by | Country |
---|---|---|
Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Phosgenite
Adamantine
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colourless, white, yellow, brown, greenish or pink; colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Comment:
The hardness on {110} is less parallel to [001] than perpendicular to it.
Tenacity:
Sectile
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Distinct on {001} and {110}; less distinct on {010}
Distinct on {001} and {110}; less distinct on {010}
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Translation gliding:
Translation gliding with T{110}, t[001].
Comment:
The crystals can easily be flexed about directions perpendicular to [001].
Density:
6.12 - 6.15 g/cm3 (Measured) 6.124 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Phosgenite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 2.118 nε = 2.145
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.027
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
Very weakly pleochroic with O - reddish and E - greenish in thick sections.
Comments:
Weakly biaxial at times, noticeable after mechanical deformation.
Chemistry of Phosgenite
Mindat Formula:
Pb2CO3Cl2
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Phosgenite
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) - Ditetragonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P4/mbm
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.16 Å, c = 8.883(6) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.089
Unit Cell V:
591.48 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals short prismatic to prismatic [001]; thick tabular rare {001}; thin tabular very rare. Normally terminated by large {001}, with {111} dominant at times. Massive, granular.
Crystallographic forms of Phosgenite
Crystal Atlas:
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0015646 | Phosgenite | Giuseppetti G, Tadini C (1974) Reexamination of the crystal structure of phosgenite, Pb2Cl2(CO3) Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen 21 101-109 | 1974 | Monteponi Mine, Iglesias, Iglesiente district, Cagliari Province, Sardinia, Italy | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Epitaxial Relationships of Phosgenite
Epitaxial Minerals:
Cerussite | PbCO3 |
Epitaxy Comments:
Cerussite on phosgenite, with cerussite {100} [010] parallel to phosgenite {001}[120].
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
2.79 Å | (very very strong) |
3.61 Å | (very strong) |
4.40 Å | (strong) |
2.56 Å | (strong) |
4.04 Å | (moderately strong) |
2.21 Å | (moderate) |
1.800 Å | (moderate) |
Comments:
Formed in a ancient artifact (lead pot). Data from Midgley (1958).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
47g : [Halogen-bearing surface weathering minerals] | |
47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] | |
Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals | |
56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) | |
57 : Other minerals formed by human processes |
Geological Setting:
Surface conditions in lead-bearing ore bodies.
Type Occurrence of Phosgenite
Synonyms of Phosgenite
Other Language Names for Phosgenite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
57 photos of Phosgenite associated with Galena | PbS |
34 photos of Phosgenite associated with Cerussite | PbCO3 |
30 photos of Phosgenite associated with Anglesite | PbSO4 |
23 photos of Phosgenite associated with Diaboleite | Pb2CuCl2(OH)4 |
20 photos of Phosgenite associated with Laurionite | PbCl(OH) |
18 photos of Phosgenite associated with Cumengeite | Pb21Cu20Cl42(OH)40 · 6H2O |
16 photos of Phosgenite associated with Paralaurionite | PbCl(OH) |
14 photos of Phosgenite associated with Pseudoboleite | Pb31Cu24Cl62(OH)48 |
10 photos of Phosgenite associated with Nealite | Pb4Fe2+(As3+O3)2Cl4 · 2H2O |
10 photos of Phosgenite associated with Boleite | KPb26Ag9Cu24(OH)48Cl62 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
5.BE.X | Abellaite | NaPb2(CO3)2(OH) |
5.BE.05 | Shannonite | Pb2O(CO3) |
5.BE.10 | Hydrocerussite | Pb3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
5.BE.15 | Plumbonacrite | Pb5O(OH)2(CO3)3 |
5.BE.25 | Bismutite | (BiO)2CO3 |
5.BE.30 | Kettnerite | CaBiCO3OF |
5.BE.35 | Beyerite | Ca(BiO)2(CO3)2 |
5.BE.40 | Grootfonteinite | Pb3O(CO3)2 |
5.BE.45 | Somersetite | Pb8O2(OH)2(CO3)5 |
Fluorescence of Phosgenite
Fluoresces yellow in LW & SW UV, X-rays and cathode rays.
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in dilute HNO3 with effervescence. Decomposed slowly in cold water, which extracts lead chloride.
Readily alters to, and is replaced by, Cerussite.
Readily alters to, and is replaced by, Cerussite.
Health Risks:
Contains lead. Wash hands after handling. Do not lick or ingest; do not inhale dust when breaking. Do not grind dry.
Internet Links for Phosgenite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3195.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Phosgenite
Reference List:
Greg, Robert Philips, Lettsom, William G. (1858) Manual of the Mineralogy of Great Britain and Ireland. John Van Voorst, London.p.421 - as Cromfordite
Kingsbury, Arthur W. G. (1957) New occurrences of phosgenite. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 31 (237). 500-501 doi:10.1180/minmag.1957.031.237.13
Midgley, H. G. (1958) A further occurrence of phosgenite. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 31 (241). 883 doi:10.1180/minmag.1958.031.241.07
Giuseppetti, G., Tadini, Carla (1974) Reexamination of the crystal structure of phosgenite, Pb2Cl2(CO3). TMPM Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 21 (2). 101-109 doi:10.1007/bf01081262
Pina, C.M., Fernández-Díaz, L., Prieto, M. (1996) Topotaxy relationships in the transformation phosgenite-cerussite. Journal of Crystal Growth, 158 (3). 340-345 doi:10.1016/0022-0248(95)00452-1
Localities for Phosgenite
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina | |
| abstract in Mitteilungen der ... +1 other reference |
| Singer et al. (2008) |
Angelelli (1946) +1 other reference | |
Australia | |
| Mineralogical Record: 7: 30. +1 other reference |
The Daydream Mine | |
Mines of the Broken Hill District | |
| Sielecki (1988) |
Sielecki (1988) | |
| Noble R.J. +1 other reference |
| Noble R.J. |
| Noble |
| |
| Kolitsch et al. (1999) |
| |
| Haupt (1988) |
| Bottrill et al. (2008) |
Bottrill et al. (2006) | |
Palache et al. (1951) | |
| Bottrill et al. (2008) |
| Sarp et al. (1987) +1 other reference |
| MacLeod (1991) |
Austria | |
| abstract in Mitt. Österr. Mineral. ... +2 other references |
| Bindi et al. (2011) |
| Strasser (1989) |
Niedermayr et al. (2009) | |
| C.Auer (2012) |
| Kolitsch (2013) |
Brazil | |
| Cassedanne et al. (1975) |
| Cassedanne et al. (1975) |
Chile | |
| Arfè et al. (2016) |
| maurizio dini collection - analysed ... |
| sample analysed by Tony Kampf |
China | |
Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data of ... | |
Czech Republic | |
| RÜSENBERG et al. (1996) |
France | |
| P. Le Roch collection |
| Germain C. et al. (1990) |
| Aufschluss 1/85 |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Brousse (1982) |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| Georges FAVREAU collection & EDX ... |
Germany | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2019) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| |
| Blaß et al. (1995) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Lapis 1988 (1) |
| Lapis 1988 (1) |
| Weiß (1990) |
Heckmann et al. (1990) | |
| Lapis (9) |
Greece | |
| Kohlberger (1976) |
| Branko Rieck collection |
| Fritz Schreiber collection |
| |
40 (in German) +2 other references | |
van Kalmthout (2012) +1 other reference | |
Kolitsch et al. (2014) | |
Ko Jansen Collection & photo | |
Gelaude et al. (1996) | |
Siidra et al. (2011) | |
Gelaude et al. (1996) | |
Gelaude et al. (1996) | |
Lacroix et al. (1908) +2 other references | |
Iran | |
| Bariand +1 other reference |
Ireland | |
| Green (1998) |
Green (1998) | |
Italy | |
| Palombi et al. (2009) |
| Rivista Mineralogica Italiana (Avril/Juin) |
| Lips (2006) |
| Orlandi et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
| Stara |
| |
Stara et al. (1996) | |
| De Caro et al. (2023) |
Pelloux (1907) +1 other reference | |
Stara et al. (1996) | |
| Stara et al. (1996) |
| Lapis (12) +1 other reference |
| De Michele (1974) |
Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference | |
| Guida ai minerali Gruppo editore Fabbri ... +1 other reference |
Stara et al. (1996) | |
| |
Kokscharow et al. (1865) +4 other references | |
| Marinai |
| Bazzoni et al. (2001) |
| Luigi Chiappino |
www.comune.pisa.it (2000) | |
| Franzini et al. (1992) +2 other references |
| Jansen et al. (1998) |
| Luigi Chiappino data |
| Adriano Perugini find & collection |
Mexico | |
| Mineralogical Record: 29: 43. |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) |
Morocco | |
| Jébrak et al. (1998) |
| Georges Favreau collection |
King (n.d.) | |
[MinRec 18:430 +1 other reference | |
Namibia | |
| Mineralogical Record: 8: 29 +3 other references |
Norway | |
| Husdal (2019) |
| Ellingsen et al. (2000) |
| Kamphaug (1986) |
Poland | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Eligiusz Szełęg collection | |
Portugal | |
| Pedro Alves collection and analytical ... |
| Pedro Alves collection and analytical ... |
| Leal Gomes |
Russia | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
| SAMS (South African Micromount Society) |
Spain | |
| Georges FAVREAU collection + EDS |
| Calvo Rebollar (2012) |
| Calvo Rebollar et al. (2018) |
| Sergio Evangelio Collection |
| Xavi Ortiz Collection |
| Van der Berg et al. (2020) |
Tunisia | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Palache et al. (1951) | |
| Kutzke et al. (1997) |
UK | |
| Day (1999) |
| BMS Newsletter 79 (http://britishmicromountsociety.homestead.com/Gannell-Smelter.html) |
| Dean et al. (1983) +1 other reference |
| Michael Merry (collected 2007) |
| Paul De Bondt collection |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Golley et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Steve Rust specimen |
| |
Russell et al. (1927) +3 other references | |
| Stanley et al. (1991) +1 other reference |
| Kingsbury (1957) +1 other reference |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| |
Peter Trebilcock. | |
Peter Trebilcock collection | |
| Norman Wilson personal collection |
| Kingsbury (1957) +1 other reference |
Kingsbury (1957) | |
Stanley et al. (1991) | |
| Mineralogical Record 23 +6 other references |
| Russell et al. (1927) +3 other references |
Ford et al. (1993) | |
| Day (1999) |
| S Rust collection |
| F. Rutley: "Elements of Mineralogy" (1900) |
| |
Day (1999) | |
| S Rust collection |
| Day (1999) |
USA | |
| Raman analyzed at the University of ... |
| Raman analyzed at the University of ... |
| Fahey et al. (1950) +5 other references |
Palache (1941) +4 other references | |
| Hanks (1884) +2 other references |
| Marek Chorazewicz (2022) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Färber (n.d.) |
| Breithaupt A (1841) +2 other references |
| Castor et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
Mineralogical Record: 4: 33 +1 other reference | |
| Mineralogical Record: 26 (5) |
Northrop et al. (1996) | |
| Lapham & Geyer |
| Miller (1971) |
Alminas +2 other references | |
| Encyclopedia of Minerals +3 other references |
| MarekC (2018) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| Washington Geology |
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Slag dumps, Menez-Plom, Carnoët, Guingamp, Côtes-d'Armor, Brittany, France