Asterismit

Asterismit is a fictional mineral described in speculative mineralogy. It is notable for exhibiting asterism, a star-shaped light figure that appears on polished surfaces when illuminated.

The name is derived from aster, the Latin for star, combined with the mineral-suffix -mit, reflecting its supposed crystal-chemistry and optical behavior.

According to the fictional account, Asterismit was first described in 1993 by researchers exploring the Lyris Range. The mineral is said to form in high-temperature, high-pressure environments and to occur primarily in ultramafic igneous rocks and associated metamorphic rocks.

Physical properties are described as a vitreous to adamantine luster, colorless to pale blue or gray, Mohs hardness around 6 to 6.5, and no distinct cleavage. The star pattern results from dense, oriented inclusions of rutile or similar titanium-oxide needles aligned parallel to crystallographic axes.

Occurrence and potential uses are presented as rare, with specimens historically recovered from polished decorative stones and meteorite impact-related glass in the fictional setting. In theoretical applications, Asterismit might serve in photonic devices or gemstone research due to its stable asterism under varied lighting.