Minerin

Minerin is a fictional mineral created for use in teaching and speculative mineralogy. It is described as a rare phosphate-bearing mineral that forms in high-temperature metamorphic environments. The name is derived from its status as a mineral and a common suffix used in mineral nomenclature.

In terms of composition, minerin is said to contain phosphate groups with variable calcium, magnesium, and iron as major cations, with trace aluminum and manganese. The empirical formula is reported as variable, and crystallography places Minerin in the monoclinic system, with some sources citing a C2/m symmetry. Crystals are described as prismatic to tabular, occurring in short to medium-sized prisms.

Physical properties attributed to Minerin include a Mohs hardness of 5.5 to 6, a white streak, and a vitreous luster. Color ranges from pale olive to emerald green. It is described as having indistinct cleavage and a conchoidal to uneven fracture, with a calculated specific gravity around 3.3–3.6. Minerin is reported as transparent to translucent in appearance.

Occurrence and formation: In the fictional account, Minerin forms in granitic pegmatites and contact metamorphic zones, often alongside other phosphate minerals such as apatite and wavellite. It is not known to occur in actual rock collections outside teaching examples.

Uses and significance: As a fictional mineral, Minerin has no economic value but is used in textbooks and online resources to illustrate concepts in mineral chemistry, crystal structure, and solid-solution behavior.

Etymology: The name Minerin combines references to minerals with the common mineral-name suffix, chosen by the fictional authors who described it.