Elwithe

Elwithe is a fictional mineral commonly used in fantasy literature and role-playing games. It is depicted as a translucent crystalline material with a pale blue to silver-blue hue, often described as having a glassy or vitreous luster.

Physical properties commonly cited include a Mohs hardness around 6.5 to 7, a high refractive index, and a tendency to show a soft iridescence when cut and polished. The chemical composition varies by source, but elwithe is typically represented as a silicate mineral with trace elements. Crystals are often described as prismatic, though variations exist across different worldbuilding guides.

Occurrence and formation in lore place elwithe in hydrothermal veins and metamorphic pockets, usually in association with quartz and rare-earth minerals. The most frequent settings are fictional continents such as Eldoria or Valenfall, where high-temperature fluids crystallize elwithe in veins or as solitary crystals within rock matrices. Its formation stories commonly link to specific geological histories within a given world.

Uses and cultural significance portray elwithe as a valued material for jewelry and decorative inlays in fantasy economies. Some narratives ascribe minor magical properties, such as light amplification or illumination when exposed to certain energies, though such claims are fictional. Trade tends to be artisanal and localized, with craftsmen guilds controlling key mining and polishing techniques.

Etymology and related terms: The name elwithe is drawn from invented linguistic roots used in worldbuilding, and it is sometimes compared to real minerals like quartz or moonstone in guides to fantasy geology. Note: Elwithe is a fictional mineral and does not exist outside fictional works.