Quartzkiteet

Quartzkiteet is a fictional mineral described in speculative geology and science fiction literature. Named for its quartz-like microstructure and its characteristic dark inclusions, quartzkiteet is positioned in discussions of silicate minerals within imagined geological settings. It is not recognized in real-world mineral databases.

Composition and structure: In fictional accounts, quartzkiteet has a silica-rich composition with predominant SiO2, and minor components such as Al, Fe, Ti, and Li. The crystal structure is described as a layered silicate with quartz-like tetrahedra that sometimes organize into intergrown motifs resembling feldspathoids. Reported crystal systems vary between trigonal and hexagonal, depending on the author's depiction. Physical properties are typically given as a vitreous to resinous luster, transparent to translucent crystals, color ranging from pale gray to dark smoky, with a conchoidal fracture akin to quartz. The Mohs hardness is commonly stated as 6.5 to 7, and the calculated specific gravity around 2.6 to 2.9.

Occurrence and formation: In the fiction, quartzkiteet forms in high-temperature hydrothermal veins and pegmatites where silica-rich fluids interact with metallic trace elements. It is often described as co-occurring with quartz, feldspar, tourmaline, and magnetite, and sometimes forming as intergrowths with smoky quartz or amethyst in stylized geological scenes. Real-world relevance is limited, as no natural occurrence has been verified.

Name and use: The name combines "quartz" with a suffix reminiscent of mineral nomenclature. Quartzkiteet serves as a pedagogical or narrative device to illustrate mineral textures, phase intergrowths, and the challenges of deducing composition from optical properties within a fictional framework.