Formerete

Formerete is a fictional mineral described in speculative geology and world-building literature. It does not occur in nature and is not recognized by major mineral databases or scientific records.

The name appears to derive from formation-related roots and follows common mineral-naming conventions, making formerete a convenient example in teaching about mineral nomenclature and classification.

Composition and structure: Formerete is described as a silicate with a tetrahedral SiO4 framework and divalent metal cations. The proposed formula is given as (M2+)2SiO4, with the exact metal occupancy varying across fictional sources. In many accounts, it is associated with a layered or prismatic crystal habit.

Physical properties: Descriptions typically portray formerete as translucent to opaque, with a color range from pale blue to green. Mohs hardness is usually placed around 6 to 7, and it is said to have a vitreous luster with cleavage that is poor or indistinct.

Occurrence and formation: In illustrative contexts, formerete may form under high-pressure metamorphic conditions or be produced synthetically via hydrothermal methods in laboratories or simulated environments. It is commonly described alongside other imaginary minerals.

Uses and significance: In pedagogy, formerete helps demonstrate how mineral descriptions are structured and how naming conventions are applied. In fictional settings, it is sometimes depicted as a gemstone or as an energy-storage material, illustrating the role minerals can play in world-building and science communication.

See also: List of minerals; Hypothetical materials.