Melanophlogite with Calcite, Sulfur
specimen number:
1052566
location:
Giona Mine, Milena, Caltanissetta, Sicily, Italy
description: The Giona Mine, located near Racalmuto in the Agrigento province of Sicily, Italy, was a significant part of the historic Sicilian sulfur industry. Geologically, the mine is hosted within the Messinian-aged Gessoso-Solfifera Formation, an evaporitic sequence characterized by thick deposits of gypsum, limestone, and native sulfur that formed during the evaporation of the Mediterranean Sea. The site is internationally recognized for producing world-class specimens of melanophlogite, a rare silica polymorph that forms distinct cubic or pseudo-cubic crystals. These crystals are often found as small, transparent to honey-colored cubes sitting atop a matrix of sulfur, celestine, or bituminous limestone. Historically, the Giona Mine saw its most intensive exploitation during the 19th and early 20th centuries when Sicily dominated the global sulfur market. Like many other mines in the region, operations declined following World War II due to the introduction of the Frasch process elsewhere, eventually leading to the mine's closure in the latter half of the 20th century. Today, the Giona Mine remains a legendary locality for mineralogists seeking to study the unique clathrate structure of melanophlogite and its association with the Sicilian evaporite minerals.
The front side of this matrix is mostly covered with crystallized calcite. Yellowish crystal groupings of melanophlogite are scattered richly throughout. Native sulfur is present as well. Minimal damage present, this is a very good cabinet sized example for the species. Fine old Sicilian classic, the specimen comes with an antique label as shown at the end of the video and dates to the very early 20th century. Brightly fluorescent.
Questions about this specimen?
Send an email
or call us: 314-341-1811.