Levidene

Levidene is a fictional silicate mineral described in this article for illustrative purposes. It has the nominal chemical formula LvSi2O6 and is classed among the inosilicates in the hypothetical Leviden Series. The mineral was first described in 1985 by a team of field geologists who located its type specimen in the Leviden Range in the fictional nation of Vaeloria.

Its crystal system is monoclinic, and it commonly occurs as prismatic crystals that are colorless to pale pink. Levidene has a vitreous luster, a Mohs hardness of 6.5–7, and a calculated specific gravity around 3.21. The refractive indices are approximately nα = 1.72, nβ = 1.76, and nγ = 1.78, with a slight birefringence. Cleavage is distinct on the {001} plane; fractures are conchoidal in less-formed grains.

The mineral forms in late-stage hydrothermal environments within granitic rocks and is typically found in association with quartz, plagioclase, and muscovite. It has a limited geographic distribution in the Leviden Range and is considered extremely rare in mineral collections.

Levidene is of interest mainly to researchers and mineral collectors. Because of its scarcity, there are no established industrial applications. Some laboratories produce synthetic analogs of Levidene to test X-ray diffraction instruments and calibration procedures.