Description
Beautiful icy clear pollucite crystal.
From Laghman, Afghanistan
Size: 50 x 40 x 35 mm. 84 grams
Pollucite from Laghman, Afghanistan is rare and highly collectible mineral specimen prized by mineral enthusiasts for its clarity, aesthetic etching patterns, and association with pegmatite environments.
- Chemical formula: (Cs,Na)₂Al₂Si₄O₁₂·2H₂O
- Crystal system: Isometric (cubic)
- Hardness: ~6.5 on Mohs scale
- Transparency: Transparent to translucent
- Color: Colorless to white; occasionally with subtle pastel hues
- Major Element: Cesium (Cs) – Pollucite is the primary ore of cesium
Laghman is known for its complex granitic pegmatites, which yield high-quality gem minerals like tourmaline, spodumene, lepidolite, and pollucite. The pollucite from this region tends to form in pockets rich in lithium and cesium, often associated with lepidolite and petalite.
Etching in pollucite is due to natural hydrothermal alteration or dissolution processes within the pegmatite. This creates:
Sculptural, often geometric textures on crystal surfaces, High luster, glassy appearance, Complex surface reliefs, making the crystal look “carved” or “melted”
These features increase both the aesthetic and collector value.