Sandte

Sandte is a fictional mineral described in speculative geology and science fiction. It does not correspond to any confirmed mineral in real-world geology, but it is used in worldbuilding to illustrate desert environments and advanced materials science.

In the fictional account, sandte is a silica-based material with a glassy to microcrystalline texture. It forms when silica-rich desert sands interact with geothermal fluids and then cool rapidly, trapping a partially crystalline structure. It can range in color from pale amber to brown and displays a high refractive index and a vitreous luster. Its hardness is typically in the mid-range on the Mohs scale, around 6 to 7.

Geographically, sandte is described as occurring in dune fields along geothermal fault zones, often in arid basins with intermittent springs. Extraction is challenging due to brittleness and friability; small nodules are mined and then processed locally into beads, tiles, or glass precursors.

Applications in fiction include optical components, high-temperature ceramics, decorative objects, and photonic devices, where sandte’s refractive properties and heat resistance are emphasized. In worldbuilding, it is sometimes paired with other desert minerals to explain regional economies and trade networks.

In-universe, researchers debate its classification: some treat it as a natural mineral formed by geochemical processes, while others argue it is a man-made glass or glass-ceramic created near geothermal sources. Outside fiction, the term sandte is sometimes used as a cautionary example of how geological concepts intersect with technology and narrative worldbuilding.