Haloihin

Haloihin is a fictional mineral described in speculative fiction and worldbuilding contexts. It is noted for its translucent crystals that display halo-like bands of iridescent light when illuminated, giving the appearance of a living halo within the stone.

Composition and structure: In the imagined chemistry, haloihin is a complex silicate with halogen-rich impurities and trace copper or bismuth that induce strong birefringence and light dispersion. Crystals are commonly prismatic to tabular, with a vitreous luster. Typical hardness is around 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, and the refractive index is high, producing vivid internal halos under backlighting.

Occurrence and formation: Haloihin is said to form in hydrothermal veins where saline fluids mingle with silicate-rich melts. In fiction, it is often found with basalt-associated rock formations or volcanic glass, and may occur alongside minerals such as quartz, halite, and cordierite.

Optical properties and uses: The defining characteristic is its halo-like interference bands visible within the crystal. It is used in ornamental jewelry within fictional cultures, and in invented technologies that rely on light manipulation, such as halo projectors or sensors that respond to ambient color.

Etymology and terminology: The name combines halo, referencing its halo-like glow, with the fictional suffix -ihin.

Note: Haloihin does not appear in real mineral catalogs and is used here as a narrative device in worldbuilding. Real-world mineral science has no record of this compound.