It seems to originate from a latin term: lapis sepecularis. Commonly known today as Selenite. Some mistake as coming from the Greek Speculum.
This material was used for windows before the transition to glass. Rambam unaware of the true etymology as he often was, mistakenly thought this came from a hodgepodge of Safek R’iya – Doubtful Visibility.
(This comment is based in part on the article “A Final Look Through the Aspaklaria”)
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