eilatinia

Eilatinia is a fictional mineral described in speculative geology and employed in science fiction narratives. It is presented as a rare blue silicate mineral that serves as a case study for high-pressure metamorphism in subduction zones.

Etymology and naming: The name eilatinia is said to derive from the fictional Eilara region, with the suffix -tinia drawn from common mineral-naming conventions. The term is used mainly within constructed geologic lore and related fiction.

Discovery and occurrence: In the imagined literature, eilatinia was first identified by researchers exploring the Eilara metamorphic belt in the southern continent of Neridia. According to these sources, it forms in small, discrete pockets within ultramafic host rocks that have undergone intense pressure and moderate temperatures during subduction. Field reports describe only a handful of collected crystals, making it one of the rarer minerals in the fictional record.

Composition and structure: Eilatinia is portrayed as a layered silicate-phosphate mineral with a predominantly blue hue. The crystal structure is described as monoclinic to near-monoclinic, featuring alternating layers that contribute to its distinctive optical properties. Trace elements such as copper and titanium are often cited as responsible for the coloration, while aluminum and magnesium appear as impurities in some specimens.

Physical properties: Reported characteristics include a vitreous to resinous luster, transparency to translucency, and a Mohs hardness around 6 to 6.5. Typical specimens are prismatic or tabular, with a blue-to-indigo color that can show pleochroism under polarized light. The refractive index is given in the mid-1.6 range in fictional sources.

Uses and significance: Within the fiction, eilatinia is primarily of academic interest and occasional gemstone-like appeal in world-building. It serves as a narrative tool to illustrate exotic metamorphic processes and limited natural abundance.