Ajralmas

Ajralmas is a rare silicate mineral characterized by an iridescent chatoyant luster and a pale blue-green color. It occurs as translucent prismatic crystals and massifs, with a hardness of about 5 on the Mohs scale and a specific gravity near 3.2. The crystal structure comprises layered silicate sheets that contribute to measurable anisotropy and faint birefringence under polarized light.

Ajralmas was first described in 2049 by geologist Leena Khatri from samples collected in the Ajaro region. The name derives from a local term meaning light from stone, with the suffix mas used in reference to mineral species in the region's nomenclature.

Formation occurs in subduction zone hydrothermal veins within serpentinized ultramafic rocks. Ajralmas is typically found alongside chrysoprase, magnetite, and talc, and forms under moderate temperatures (approximately 180–260°C) and reducing conditions that favor silicate layering.

Known deposits are limited to two districts, the Ajaro belt and the northern Zephran trench, where ajralmas occurs in fractures within serpentinite. Accessing deposits poses exploration challenges due to rugged terrain and high rock inaccessibility.

In jewelry and decorative stone markets, ajralmas is valued for its brilliance but is relatively brittle, so it is commonly cut into cabochons or small aggregates rather than faceted gems. Laboratory synthesis can produce larger crystals for research and ornamental use.

The mineral also figures in regional folklore, where it is sometimes associated with light and protection, and is used by artisans to craft ceremonial objects.