pollucite

pollucite [ˈpɒljʊˌsaɪt pəˈluːˌsaɪt]

n

(Earth Sciences / Minerals) 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: CsAlSi₂O₆.½H₂O

[from Latin polluc-, stem of Pollux + -ite¹; originally called pollux, alluding to Castor and Pollux, since it was associated with another mineral called castor or castorite]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

pollucite - a rare mineral that is an important source of cesium atomic number 55, caesium, cesium, Cs - a soft silver-white ductile metallic element (liquid at normal temperatures); the most electropositive and alkaline metal atomic number 37, Rb, rubidium - a soft silvery metallic element of the alkali metal group; burns in air and reacts violently in water; occurs in carnallite and lepidolite and pollucite mineral - solid homogeneous inorganic substances occurring in nature having a definite chemical composition