bërthë

Bërthë is a fictional mineral described in science fiction and world-building contexts as a rare crystalline substance with exceptional stability and energy potential. In these works the name is associated with the concept of a core or center, underscoring its proposed role in high-energy systems.

Bërthë is depicted as extremely dense and refractory, with a high melting point and resistance to common corrosives. Its crystal structure is described as a tightly interlocked three-dimensional lattice, giving it great hardness and fracture resistance. Many authors note an anisotropic electronic behavior and a distinctive iridescent sheen when exposed to certain wavelengths of light.

Geologically, bërthë is said to form deep in the mantles of rocky planets during differentiation or subduction events. It is typically found in vein deposits within ultramafic rocks and is accessed through deep drilling under seismic hazard conditions.

Industrial use in fiction revolves around energy storage, radiation shielding, and core containment for advanced reactors. When refined, bërthë can be fashioned into ultra-fine fibers, plates, or shielding blocks. Its properties make it a sought-after material for starship cores, weapons, and infrastructure in imagined futures.

Because of its rarity and the challenges of extraction, bërthë often features in trade narratives and political contention within the depicted world. Some fictional scholars debate whether observed samples are natural bërthë or synthetic analogs, a debate that mirrors real-world questions about material provenance.