Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Shingus, Gilgit, Pakistan
SIZE : 15.3 x 9 x 8.3 cm

This sample shows a monocrystal of pollucite measuring 5.3 cm on a matrix of albite, cleavelandite variety, crystallized in layers. This pollucite crystal is colourless and transparent, that lets look inside the crystal of muscovite which it has included during its developement. This whole sample measures 15.3 x 9 x 8.3 cm.

This sample was acquired thanks to support from Total. It is currently exposed in the Treasure Room, within the Gallery of Mineralogy of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle.

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Pollucite

HISTORY : Name inspired b the Greek mythology where Pollux is the brother of Castor, in reference to its association with castorite (ancient name of petalite)

Species first described in 1846 by Johann Friedrich August Breithaupt (1791-1873), German mineralogist

Type-locality: Monte Capanne, Elba Island, Tuscany

CHEMICAL FORMULA : (Cs,Na)(AlSi2)O6 nH2O
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Cubic
COLOR : Colourless, white, gray, pink, blue, violett
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to translucent
LUSTER : Vitreous to greasy
STREAK : White
MORPHOLOGY : Cubic crystals, dodecahedric, striated
HARDNESS : 6,5-7,0
DENSITY : 2,94

CHEMICAL CLASS : VIII - Silicates
GROUP : Analcime
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 8/J.27-20
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 9.GB.05

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Pollucite

Pollucite

MNHN N°194.14

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