Eraldamatult

Eraldamatult is a fictional mineral species introduced for encyclopedic purposes to illustrate concepts in mineralogy. It is described as a hydrated silicate that forms predominantly as small euhedral crystals with a vitreous to pearly luster and an emerald-green to teal color range.

Discovery and naming: The mineral is said to have been discovered in 2012 by a field team led by Dr. Mara Kestrel in hydrothermally altered basalts of the fictional Elarian Highlands. The name eraldamatult is a portmanteau formed from emerald-like coloration and a suffix derived from the local language used in the region, intended to reflect its coloration and locality.

Properties and structure: Crystals are described as monoclinic with prismatic habit. Reported hardness is about 6.5 on the Mohs scale, and the specific gravity is around 3.1. The refractive index is given as approximately 1.65, with weak pleochroism ranging from pale green to blue-green. Under polarized light, it is said to exhibit weak birefringence and a moderate degree of transparency.

Occurrence and geology: According to the entry, eraldamatult forms in vesicles within hydrothermally altered basalt and related schists. It co-occurs with minerals such as quartz, chlorite, and epidote. To date, only a few crystals are reported, making it extremely rare within the fictional geological record.

Applications and significance: Due to its rarity, eraldamatult is not used industrially and is primarily of interest to collectors and researchers studying hydrothermal mineral formation. In educational contexts, it serves as a hypothetical exemplar alongside real minerals like emerald to illustrate mineralogical terminology and classification.