Halideja

Halideja is a fictional mineral described in the Halidea universe, a world-building setting used to explore geology and mineralogy in speculative fiction. In this context, halideja is categorized among halide minerals and is noted for its distinctive coloration and formation environment.

Etymology: The name halideja combines the word halide with a suffix -ja, a naming convention in the Halidea lexicon that signals a mineral associated with halogen-rich chemistry.

Occurrence and formation: Halideja is described as forming in hydrothermal systems where halide-rich fluids interact with carbonate rocks in the Halidea Basin. It commonly occurs with other evaporite minerals such as halite and sylvite, often lining veins, crusts, or tabular crystal faces.

Physical properties: Crystals of halideja are typically prismatic or tabular. Color ranges from pale blue to emerald green, and transparency spans transparent to translucent. The hardness is placed around 3 to 4 on the Mohs scale. It has a vitreous to subadamantine luster and a refractive index in the mid-1.4s in the fictional mineralogical data of Halidea.

Uses and cultural role: Within the Halidea narrative, halideja is valued for its color and clarity and is used in decorative jewelry and ceremonial objects. It also serves as a focal point for mineralogical study within the Halidea Chronicles, illustrating hydrothermal formation and evaporite associations.

See also: Halide minerals; Mineralogy; Evaporites.