Zarlarn

Zarlarn is a rare mineral described in speculative geology and worldbuilding as having luminescent crystals and the ability to store energy under magnetic influence. It is not recognized by real-world geology, and its properties vary across different fictional sources, but it is commonly depicted as a crystalline silicate with unique field-responsive behavior.

Etymology and naming established in fictional corpora trace the term to the Zarlari language, a mythical culture cited in early exploration narratives. The name has since become standard in many worldbuilding guides and science-fiction compendia, where zarlarn is treated as a curio of exotic geology.

Physical properties attributed to zarlarn typically include a deep indigo to violet color, a vitreous to adamantine luster, and a prismatic crystal habit. In many depictions, it crystallizes in a tetragonal system and exhibits uneven cleavage. Reported hardness ranges around 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, with a density near 3.9 to 4.6 g/cm3. Zarlarn is often described as photoluminescent, emitting visible light when exposed to ultraviolet radiation, and its lattice is said to respond to magnetic fields by altering electronic states.

Occurrence and formation are usually described as taking place in high-pressure metamorphic belts or hydrothermal veins within ultramafic rocks, formed by metasomatic exchange between mantle-derived fluids and crustal minerals at elevated temperatures. In fiction, zarlarn’s energy-storage capacity is sometimes explained through a lattice that traps and releases magnetic energy.

Uses and cultural presence commonly include lighting applications, ornamental gems, and as a plot device in science fiction and worldbuilding exercises. In reality, zarlarn remains a fictional concept.