pollucite

/ pəˈluːˌsaɪt; ˈpɒljʊˌsaɪt /

noun

1. a colourless rare mineral consisting of a hydrated caesium aluminium silicate, often containing some rubidium. It occurs in coarse granite, esp in Manitoba, and is an important source of caesium. Formula: CsAlSi 2 O 6 . 1 2 H 2 O

Word History and Origins

Origin of pollucite¹

C19: from Latin polluc-, stem of Pollux + -ite ¹; originally called pollux, alluding to Castor and Pollux, since it was associated with another mineral called castor or castorite