Verososien

Verososien is a fictional silicate mineral created for speculative geology and science-fiction world-building. In its in-universe description, verososien forms under high-temperature, high-pressure metamorphism in subduction-zone settings, where vanadium concentrates within a silicate lattice. The mineral is described as occurring as elongate tabular crystals with a blue-green to teal color and a vitreous luster.

Chemistry and structure: verososien is said to crystallize in a monoclinic system with a simplified nominal formula (V,Fe)SiO3, containing vanadium and iron in octahedral coordination with a silica framework. Reported physical properties include Mohs hardness 5.5–6, refractive index 1.62–1.65, and a specific gravity around 3.5–3.9. It is noted to exhibit weak pleochroism and ultraviolet luminescence in faint azure hues.

Occurrence: In fiction, verososien is associated with ultramafic and serpentinite host rocks, often alongside magnetite, olivine, and chlorite. It is described as rare, typically forming isolated crystals rather than large aggregates, and difficult to extract.

Applications in the fictional setting: verososien’s proposed properties make it attractive for energy storage in speculative technologies and for ornamental purposes in jewelry within certain sci-fi narratives.

Etymology and naming: the name verososien is stated to derive from a combination of “verus” (true) and a mineral-name suffix used in the imagined lexicon of the writers. It has no real-world chemical existence and no verified occurrences.

See also: list of fictional minerals; silicates in fiction. References: in-universe guides and compendia.