Andmehoidlates

Andmehoidlates is a fictional mineral species used in educational materials and speculative mineralogy to illustrate the process of describing a new mineral. It is not recognized by the International Mineralogical Association and has no confirmed natural occurrence. The name combines a hypothetical locality, Andmehoid, with the -lates suffix common in fictional mineral naming conventions.

Composition and structure: In the imagined framework, andmehoidlates is described as a silicate mineral with a framework of silicon-oxygen tetrahedra, with aluminum and iron occupying octahedral sites. The exact chemical formula is variable, reflecting substitutions typical of aluminosilicates. The hypothetical crystal system is monoclinic, and the mineral is described as having a vitreous to pearly luster.

Occurrence and formation: The fictional description places andmehoidlates in hydrothermally altered volcanic rocks or as veins within felsic plutonics, forming at moderate temperatures and relatively low pressures. It is often cited with associated minerals such as quartz, muscovite, and chlorite in the imagined locality.

Properties and identification: In the speculative model, the mineral would display a Mohs hardness of around 5–6, a refractive index near 1.56–1.62, and a pale blue-green color. Streak would be pale, and cleavage would be observed along distinct crystallographic planes.

History and status: Andmehoidlates was introduced in educational contexts to demonstrate mineral description methods, type-material designation, and naming conventions. It has no peer-reviewed description and is not used in professional mineralogical work. The entry serves as a case study for illustrating how a new mineral would be validated and cataloged in a real-world setting.