Zataja

Zataja is a fictional mineral resource described in speculative fiction and tabletop role-playing game materials. In these works, Zataja is valued for its combination of energy density and decorative luminescence, making it useful for both advanced technology and ornamental items within the imagined setting.

Etymology and concept trace the name to a constructed language used by the various cultures in the stories, where zata denotes glow and -ja marks a mineral or ore. The term is consistently treated as a rare, heterogenous alloy rather than a single pure compound, with its exact composition varying by author or game system.

Physical properties attributed to Zataja commonly include a hardness around 4 on the Mohs scale, a density near 3.6 g/cm3, and a metallic luster. It is described as color‑variable, ranging from silver-gray to pale blue or violet, and it often exhibits a faint glow when exposed to ultraviolet light or electrical stimulation. The mineral is usually described as occurring in tight, tabular crystals within hydrothermal veins.

Occurrence and extraction are framed around a fictional setting—typically a volcanic world or asteroid belt where hydrothermal activity concentrates Zataja in underground veins. Mining is portrayed as hazardous, requiring careful ventilation and dust management.

Uses and significance in the fiction include high-energy storage components for spacecraft and grid systems, as well as jewelry and decorative devices that capitalize on its natural luminescence. In some narratives, Zataja also carries symbolic associations with memory or longevity.

See also: fictional minerals and energy materials.