"Towards the end of my research I searched the web using the mineral's chemical formula - sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide - and was amazed to discover that same scientific name, written on a case of rock containing kryptonite stolen by Lex Luthor from a museum in the film Superman Returns," Stanley told the BBC.

"The new mineral does not contain fluorine (which it does in the film) and is white rather than green but, in all other respects, the chemistry matches that for the rock containing kryptonite."

Since there's already an element named krypton – a gas – they're planning on calling this stuff jadarite, after the place where the Serbian mine is located.

Being white, there's no word yet on its effect on imperfectly produced artificial life forms. Me am not worried.

Thanks and a tip of the hat to Rick Oliver, who am not worried neither.