Glastubor

Glastubor is a fictional mineral commonly used in science fiction and worldbuilding. It is typically described as a glass-ceramic material that can be transparent or translucent, with a high refractive index and notable fracture toughness, combining aspects of glass and crystalline ceramic to yield both clarity and strength.

Name and conception: The term glastubor appears across different settings with no single canonical etymology. In most narratives it is treated as a mineral rather than a metal, with properties that vary from author to author to suit worldbuilding needs.

Composition and structure: In many portrayals, glastubor consists primarily of silica-based compounds with borosilicate or aluminosilicate content, sometimes doped with trace rare earth elements to alter color or luminescence. The material is often depicted as having a microcrystalline matrix embedded within a glassy phase, contributing to a combination of transparency and toughness. Reported hardness ranges from about 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale, density around 2.8–3.2 g/cm3, and a relatively high refractive index that yields striking optical effects.

Formation and occurrence: In fictional worlds, glastubor typically forms under extreme conditions such as rapid cooling from a molten state, high-pressure metamorphism, or controlled crystallization in advanced facilities. It is described as rare and is said to occur in specific geological settings, sometimes associated with exotic magmas or meteorite-related processes.

Uses and cultural presence: Its optical properties and resilience make glastubor a favored material for lenses, armor plating, and energy-storage components in many stories. It is often depicted as a coveted trade good or a symbol of advanced technology, appearing in various cultures’ myths and economies within fictional universes.