Blivara

Blivara is a fictional mineral described in speculative fiction and worldbuilding contexts. In these works it is a rare silicate noted for its faint luminescence and high thermal stability.

Etymology and naming: The name derives from an in-world root bliv- meaning light, with the suffix ara used to designate a mineral class. The term is commonly used across various settings to evoke glow and durability.

Description and properties: Blivara crystallizes in prismatic forms and typically displays colors ranging from pale emerald to blue-green. It has a Mohs hardness around 7.5 and a density near 3.2 g/cm3. The mineral glows faintly under ultraviolet light because of trace activators, and its appearance can shift with impurity content and crystallographic orientation.

Composition and occurrence: The exact chemistry of blivara varies by deposit, but it is generally described as a silicate with iron and titanium impurities. In the fictional setting, it forms in hydrothermal veins within basaltic rock and in ultramafic deposits, often near heat sources such as volcanic vents or industrial reactors.

Extraction and applications: Blivara is mined through deep-vein tunneling and processed via flotation and magnetic separation to reduce impurities. It is valued for high-temperature ceramic components, potential energy storage materials, and radiation shielding in space habitats within the stories. Its luminescent property is sometimes used for signaling or aesthetic purposes in in-world cultures.

History and perception: First described by mineralogist Dr. Lian Koro in 2149 on the moon Cern, blivara was named for its glow and durability. See also luminescent minerals and speculative mineralogy.