Desertum

Desertum is a name used in speculative geology and science fiction to denote a hypothetical mineral linked to desert environments. The term, derived from Latin desertum meaning "the desert," is not part of the consolidated mineral record and should be understood as a provisional concept rather than a verified species.

In proposed models, desertum forms in arid basins where high-temperature fluids interact with evaporitic rocks, crystallizing as small, euhedral grains within hydrothermal veins or as inclusions in desert rocks. Because no mineral specimen has been confirmed in the field, desertum remains unvalidated by direct laboratory analysis.

Described properties vary by author, but common elements include a hard, refractory character with high thermal stability and chemical inertness. Color is reported from pale ochre to amber, with a vitreous to dull luster. There is no standardized mineral data for desertum.

Potential uses in speculative contexts include high-temperature coatings, thermal insulation, and energy storage materials suited to desert conditions. In fiction, deposits of desertum may influence regional economies or drive narratives about resource scarcity; in scientific literature, desertum is treated as a hypothetical construct rather than an established material.