Pollucite
A variety of Minerals
What is Pollucite?
Pollucite is a zeolite mineral with the formula (Cs,Na)2Al2Si4O12·2H2O with iron, calcium, rubidium and potassium as common substituting elements. It is important as a significant ore of caesium and sometimes rubidium. It forms a solid solution series with analcime. It crystallizes in the isometric - hexoctahedral crystal system as colorless, white, gray, or rarely pink and blue masses. Well formed crystals are rare. It has a Mohs hardness of 6.5 and a specific gravity of 2.9. It has a brittle fracture and no cleavage.
Optical Properties
- Refractive Index
- 1.517-1.525
- Optical Character
- Isotropic
- Dispersion
- 0.014
Market Value Factors
Pricing varies for every rock and mineral, so use these universal factors to gauge Pollucite before comparing listings or appraisals.
Size & Weight
Larger, intact specimens usually command higher prices.
Rarity & Demand
Scarce material or popular varieties sell at a premium.
Condition & Finish
Chips, repairs, and heavy wear lower value; clean prep helps.
Treatment & Provenance
Untreated specimens with documented locality are prized.
Pollucite Localities Map
See where Pollucite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.
The Meaning
Pollucite is said to be named after Pollux, the immortal son of Zeus in Greek mythology, who was the half-twin of Castor, the mortal son of Tyndareus and for whom the Castorite stone is named. Due to their inseparable nature, Zeus transformed the twins into the constellation Gemini. Similarly, pollucite and Castorite also seem inseparable as they are most often found in the same locations.
Key Characteristics
Formation of Pollucite
It was first described by August Breithaupt in 1846 for occurrences on the island of Elba, Italy. It is named for Pollux, the twin of Castor on the grounds that it is often found associated with petalite (previously known as castorite). The high caesium content was missed by the first analysis by Karl Friedrich Plattner in 1848, but after the discovery of caesium in 1860 a second analysis in 1864 was able to show the high caesium content of pollucite. Its typical occurrence is in lithium-rich granite pegmatites in association with quartz, spodumene, petalite, amblygonite, lepidolite, elbaite, cassiterite, columbite, apatite, eucryptite, muscovite, albite and microcline. About 82% of the world's known reserves of pollucite occur near Bernic Lake in Manitoba, Canada, where they are mined for their caesium content for use in caesium formate oil drilling assistance. This ore is about 20% by weight caesium.
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Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Almost always colorless, white, light gray, light pink, light blue, pale violet
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 6.5
- Density
- 2.96 g/cm³
- Streak
- white
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- (Cs,Na)2(Al2Si4O12) · 2H2O
- Elements
- Al, Cs, H, Na, O, Si
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Pollucite FAQs
How do I identify Pollucite?
Pollucite can be identified by its hardness of 6.5 on the Mohs scale, Almost always colorless color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.
What color is Pollucite?
Pollucite typically appears in Almost always colorless, white, light gray, light pink, light blue, pale violet. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.
How hard is Pollucite?
Pollucite has a hardness of 6.5 on the Mohs scale. This gives it moderate hardness.
What is the formation of pollucite of Pollucite?
It was first described by August Breithaupt in 1846 for occurrences on the island of Elba, Italy. It is named for Pollux, the twin of Castor on the grounds that it is often found associated with petalite (previously known as castorite). The high caesium content was missed by the first analysis by Karl Friedrich Plattner in 1848, but after the discovery of caesium in 1860 a second analysis in 1864 was able to show the high caesium content of pollucite. Its typical occurrence is in lithium-rich granite pegmatites in association with quartz, spodumene, petalite, amblygonite, lepidolite, elbaite, cassiterite, columbite, apatite, eucryptite, muscovite, albite and microcline. About 82% of the world's known reserves of pollucite occur near Bernic Lake in Manitoba, Canada, where they are mined for their caesium content for use in caesium formate oil drilling assistance. This ore is about 20% by weight caesium.
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