Minnkar

Minnkar is a rare mineral described in worldbuilding and speculative geology. It is characterized by slender blue-gray prismatic crystals with a faint, pale iridescence that becomes more noticeable under low-angle light. In most narratives, minnkar forms in high-temperature hydrothermal systems and is valued for both its aesthetic appeal and potential industrial properties.

The name minnkar is attributed to the Minnkari language in several texts, where it is said to mean star-stone or memory-stone, though etymologies vary across authors.

In the standard worldbuilding profiles, minnkar crystallizes in the trigonal system and has a hardness around 5.5–6 on the Mohs scale, with a density near 3.8–4.0 g/cm3. The composition is described as a manganese-iron silicate with trace nickel and germanium impurities, giving the mineral its distinctive color and slight luminescence. The refractive index is modeled around 1.63, contributing to its subtle glow at dusk.

Minnkar is imagined to occur in ultramafic schists and volcanic-hosted hydrothermal vents within remote mountain belts, with notable deposits in the fictional Kharun Basin and adjacent regions. It is often associated with other minerals such as olivine, chromite, and magnetite in worldbuilding plans.

Uses center on jewelry and ornamental carvings, where minnkar’s color and glow are valued. Some narratives link minnkar to memory or guidance rituals, and it appears in ceremonial objects and protective talismans within Minnkari folklore. In speculative technology sketches, the mineral is proposed for luminescent coatings and high-temperature components, though these ideas remain fictional.

See also: mineral, gemstone, fantasy minerals.