Irritareste

Irritareste is a fictional mineral described in science fiction and speculative worldbuilding. It has no known counterpart in real geology, and there is no universally accepted definition; different authors assign different properties to fit their narratives.

The name irritareste is typically inspired by irritare, Latin for "to irritate," with a mineral-like suffix -este. Because it is a fictional term, its exact linguistic origin is not standardized across works.

Irritareste is described in various depictions as a translucent to transparent mineral with a glassy to vitreous luster. Colors range from pale green to blue or colorless. Some authors grant it high hardness and notable fracture, while others describe it as relatively soft. A common trope is that it emits a faint glow under ultraviolet light, and in some stories it is reported to interact chemically with certain solvents or to cause a mild physiological irritant in close contact, though such traits are not universal.

It is said to occur in specific geological environments within fictional worlds—such as meteorite belts, basaltic basins, or engineered planetary crusts. Its distribution is typically restricted and tied to plot devices or worldbuilding explanations.

Within fiction, irritareste is valued for energy storage, catalytic potential, or as an ornamental gemstone. It may play a role in propulsion systems, power generation, or scientific mysteries, depending on the work.