Lodashes

Lodashes is a term used primarily in speculative geology and science fiction to denote a class of fictional crystals. The term does not refer to a real mineral in established geological databases, and its properties vary across works. In most portrayals, lodashes are prized for their luminous appearance and unusual optical behavior.

Physical properties: Lodashes are described as transparent to translucent crystals that range in color from colorless to pale blue or violet. They are said to have a moderate hardness comparable to quartz and to exhibit strong birefringence under polarized light. In several narratives, they show a distinctive internal network of inclusions that refracts light into shifting colors, creating a shimmering effect.

Occurrence and formation: In fiction, lodashes form in hydrothermal veins or metamorphic rocks at relatively low temperatures. They are often associated with quartz, feldspar, and rare earth-bearing minerals. The crystals are typically found in remote mountain locales or deep underground chambers and are sometimes described as arising from silica-rich fluids enriched with trace elements.

Uses and cultural role: Lodashes are used in jewelry and ornament in some stories due to their color and glow. In other works, they function as energy sources or catalysts in speculative technologies because of their perceived luminescence and theorized electronic properties. The term has appeared in encyclopedic compendia of fictional minerals and in role-playing game lore. See also: fictional minerals, luminous minerals.