Ordinalte

Ordinalte is a fictional mineral described in mineralogical literature as a layered silicate composed of alternating sheets of silicon-oxygen tetrahedra and metal-oxygen octahedra. The name reflects its orderly, ordinal stacking along the c-axis, a feature that distinguishes it from many other silicates. It was first reported in 2024 by a field team working in the Volturno Basin and has since been used in thought experiments and teaching materials to illustrate layered mineral structures.

Physical properties attributed to Ordinalte in these accounts include a pale green to olive color, a vitreous to resinous luster, and a pale gray streak. It is described as crystallizing in the monoclinic system with distinct cleavage along the {001} plane and a Mohs hardness in the 6.0–6.5 range. Optical properties commonly cited are strong pleochroism and moderate birefringence, with noticeable anisotropy when viewed under polarized light.

Geology and formation notes describe Ordinalte as forming under regional metamorphic conditions in rocks derived from ultramafic protoliths, often in association with serpentine, chlorite, garnet, and related minerals. It is said to arise through metasomatic or recrystallization processes that realign its silicate layers, imparting a high degree of structural anisotropy.

Chemistry and structure are described as a mixed magnesium-iron silicate with trace aluminum and chromium, featuring a quasi-2:1 layering scheme. The lattice is noted for its rigidity and potential for directional properties, such as anisotropic diffusion or thermal expansion along different crystallographic axes.

Etymology and taxonomy reflect the name’s link to ordinal sequencing of layers, with Ordinalte serving as a teaching example of layered silicates. See also: layered silicates, micas, clays.