Knoopskale

Knoopskale is a fictional mineral described in the encyclopedia of the imagined region of Knoopia. It is named for its distinctive knobby, scale-like surface, which gives rocks a spotted, textured appearance.

The term combines knop, meaning knob, and skal, meaning scale, reflecting the texture. It was first reported by geologist Mara Knoop in 1982 during a field survey near the Knoop Range.

In the fiction, Knoopskale is presented as a hydrated silicate rich in magnesium and calcium with trace amounts of iron and aluminum. Fresh specimens are described as colorless to pale green, developing a dull olive patina with weathering. Mohs hardness is given as 5.5–6, and the mineral is noted to have a vitreous to resinous luster. Crystal habit ranges from nodular masses to slender aggregates, often with a pronounced knob-like surface.

Formation is imagined to occur through metasomatic reactions in metamorphosed carbonate rocks, under moderate temperatures and fluid activity. It is commonly found within thin veins and as coatings on fracture surfaces, often accompanying calcite, tremolite, and quartz.

Uses and significance in the fictional setting include appreciation by collectors for its texture and color, as well as occasional ceremonial or symbolic roles tied to themes of tectonic stability. Knoopskale is described as not having any known natural occurrence outside the imagined world, and it is used primarily for worldbuilding and storytelling purposes.