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Pollucite

Pollucite

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV (retired)
Published: June 2014
Modified: September 2023
Pollucite Polished Pollucite Rough
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Table of Contents
  • General Information
  • Pollucite Colors
  • Countries of Origin
  • Care

Pollucite belongs to the zeolite group. It gets its name from Pollux, the twin brother of Castor, in Greek mythology. It is frequently found with petalite which was formally known as castorite. Facet grade material is prized by gemstone collectors and can be found in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia, and the United States. Pollucite is the most commercially important source of cesium which makes up a major constituent of its chemical formula.

General Information

  • Classification
  • Optical Properties
  • Characteristic Physical Properties
  • Chemistry & Crystallography
Common Name
Pollucite
Species
Pollucite
Transparency
Translucent-Transparent
Dispersion
Strength: None
Refractive Index
1.507-1.528
Optic Sign
NA
Polariscope Reaction
Singly Refractive (SR)
Fluorescence
SWUV: Inert to blue green or yellowish white
LWUV: Inert to weak orange
CCF Reaction
None
Hardness
6.5-7
Specific Gravity
2.680-3.030
Toughness
Good
Luster
Greasy, Vitreous, Dull
Fracture
Conchoidal, uneven
Cleavage
None
Chemical Name
Hydrated Cesium Aluminum Silicate
Chemical Formula
(Cs,Na)(AlSi2)O6.nH2O
Crystal System
Cubic
Chemistry Classification
Silicate

Pollucite Colors

  • Blue Pollucite
    Blue
  • Colorless Pollucite
    Colorless
  • Gray Pollucite
    Gray
  • Pink Pollucite
    Pink
  • White Pollucite
    White

Countries of Origin

Myanmar; Afghanistan; Russian Federation; Angola; Czechia; United States of America; Egypt; Madagascar; Kazakhstan; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Austria; Sweden; Mozambique; Pakistan; Morocco; Unknown; China; Brazil; Poland; Argentina; Japan; India; Canada; Norway; Namibia; Finland; Italy; South Africa; Zimbabwe; Australia; Ethiopia

Care

Pollucite is brittle so take care when handling.

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