Shaderina

Shaderina is a fictional mineral described in speculative geology and puzzle circles. It is reputed to exhibit an iridescent shimmer and ultraviolet-induced luminescence, properties that have earned it the nickname “the shade stone.” It is not known to occur in verified natural deposits.

In the lore, shaderina is a silicate mineral with a layered monoclinic crystal structure. The proposed chemical composition is given as (Al,Fe)2Si4O10(OH)2 with trace lanthanides, which are said to contribute the mineral’s varied color range and fluorescence. The dual coloration is attributed to subtle compositional zoning and crystal-field effects within the layers.

According to the fictional formation story, shaderina forms under high-grade metamorphism in tectonically active belts, typically in metamorphic hosts such as schist-like rock alongside quartz, muscovite, and tourmaline. Deposits are described as small and dispersed, often associated with hydrothermal activity around intrusions.

Reported properties include a Mohs hardness of about 6–7, a vitreous to resinous luster, and a color spectrum that ranges from pale blue to deep violet. The mineral is described as pleochroic and as fluorescing under ultraviolet light, enhancing its appeal for speculative optics and decorative purposes.

The name blends shader and the Latin -ina, coined by a fictional geologist named Dr. Lysa Korr in 1992. In fiction, shaderina is invoked as a material for optical devices that change shade with lighting and as a collectible in imagined mineral catalogs. See also: speculative minerals, fictional gemstones.