Noksidiin

Noksidiin is a term used in speculative mineralogy to denote a rare hypothetical silicate mineral. The name is not assigned to a confirmed specimen in major mineral databases, and there is no consensus on its precise chemical composition or crystallography. As such, Noksidiin is treated as a provisional concept rather than a confirmed mineral.

Etymology of the name is not standardized in available literature. In some accounts it is described as a portmanteau reflecting a region or researchers associated with its hypothetical discovery, while others treat it as a coined term for a class of silicates. There is no official endorsement from the International Mineralogical Association (IMA).

Proposed characteristics: In the hypothetical framework, Noksidiin is described as a hydrated silicate with a layered or framework-type crystal structure; reported to exhibit a vitreous to pearly luster and variable coloration in theoretical models. The exact composition, potential symmetry, and optical properties are unresolved and subject to revision in future studies.

Occurrence and status: No verified specimen has been reported in peer-reviewed geology or mineralogy journals. The concept typically appears in thought experiments, textbooks, and speculative discussions about silicate diversity. Researchers emphasize that any future validation would require crystal-structure determination and chemical analysis from natural samples or synthetic analogs.

See also: Mineral, Silicate, Hydrothermal mineralogy, International Mineralogical Association, Thought experiments in mineralogy.