diopsiderich

Diopsiderich is a hypothetical iron-rich silicate mineral described in speculative geology and science fiction. In many depictions, it is imagined to crystallize in metasomatic settings or high-temperature alteration of ultramafic rocks, often occurring as small prismatic crystals within such hosts or as inclusions in meteoritic residues. The mineral is noted for substantial iron content with a variable magnesium fraction, yielding a range of colors from dark green to brown and a luster that ranges from vitreous to metallic.

Etymology and history of the name: The term Diopsiderich is a neologism, sometimes attributed to a fictional mineralogist in contemporary speculative works. The name combines elements reminiscent of diopside-like structures with a reference to iron-rich composition.

Composition and properties: In speculative descriptions, Diopsiderich is described approximately by the formula (Fe,Mg)SiO3 with nonstoichiometric iron occupancy. It is said to crystallize in a monoclinic system in these accounts. Reported hardness on the Mohs scale is around 5.5–6, and density is placed near 3.3–3.5 g/cm3. Cleavage is often described as imperfect along certain planes, with properties that vary across proposed subtypes in different narratives.

Occurrence and significance: In fictional settings, Diopsiderich is portrayed as forming under metasomatic alteration of silicate rocks in planetary crusts and appearing as trace amounts in certain meteorite types. It is occasionally suggested as an iron-bearing ore or as a potential source of transition metals in speculative geoscience. The concept is used to illustrate geological processes and enrich world-building, but it is not recognized by real-world mineralogists, and there are no peer-reviewed reports validating its existence.