Garaaides

Garaaides is a fictional mineral species described in speculative geology and world-building literature. It is not recognized by the International Mineralogical Association and there are no verified occurrences in the real world.

Etymology and classification: The name garaaides is derived from the fictional Gara region and the common mineral-name suffix -ides. In the source material, it is described as a hydrated aluminosilicate with variable alkali content, and is grouped among silicate minerals with layered sheet structures.

Physical properties: The mineral is described as having a Mohs hardness of about 5 to 6, a vitreous to pearly luster, and colors ranging from pale blue to emerald green. It is typically translucent to transparent in thin edges and forms slender prismatic crystals. The stated crystal system is monoclinic in some accounts.

Occurrence and formation: In the fictional setting, garaaides forms in silica-rich volcanic rocks exposed to hydrothermal fluids at moderate temperatures (roughly 150–350 °C). It is commonly associated with quartz, natrolite, and calcic zeolites, and is said to crystallize in hydrothermal veins.

Uses and cultural role: In world-building narratives, garaaides is valued for its aesthetic appearance and is sometimes attributed with fictional metaphysical properties. Writers often use it to illustrate mineral nomenclature and the process of describing new minerals within a hypothetical scientific framework.