Kalimesuch

Kalimesuch is a fictional mineral described in worldbuilding and speculative fiction. In the imagined continent of Eryndor, Kalimesuch is a rare thermochromic crystal that forms in hydrothermal veins within carbonate rocks. The name is used in regional lore and field guides within the story world, serving as a distinctive marker of certain geological settings.

Composition and properties

Kalimesuch crystals are characterized by reversible color change with temperature. At ambient room temperatures they appear deep blue, while higher temperatures shift the hue toward green or violet. This thermochromism is attributed to trace ions, primarily copper and nickel, substituting into a potassium-aluminosilicate-like lattice. In polished form the mineral shows a vitreous to subadamantine luster, with a Mohs hardness around 6 to 6.5 and a prismatic to blocky crystal habit reported in specimens.

Occurrence and geology

Kalimesuch occurs in isolated pockets along normal faults in the Valemar Highlands region of Eryndor. It forms from comparatively low-temperature hydrothermal fluids that circulate through carbonate hosts during tectonic uplift, depositing silica- and oxide-rich veins. Specimens range from tiny crystals less than a millimeter to translucent crystals several centimeters across, often found with calcite, quartz, and siderite.

Cultural and economic significance

In the fictional cultures of Eryndor, Kalimesuch is valued for jewelry and ceremonial objects due to its striking color shifts. Its rarity and remote locations limit commercial mining, making authentic specimens sought after by collectors and researchers within the lore. Local legends also ascribe predictive or mood-reflective properties to the mineral, enhancing its cultural cachet.

Discovery and references

Kalimesuch was first described in a fictional geological survey published in 1987 by Dr. L. Mirkov. It remains a staple example in worldbuilding field guides and speculative mineral catalogs within the narrative universe.