gagnageymslum

Gagnageymslum is a mineral-like substance defined in this article as a rare, luminescent silicate. It forms as tabular crystals within hydrothermally altered metamorphic rocks and is of interest to mineralogists and materials scientists for its unusual crystal structure and optical properties. In practical terms, gagnageymslum is described as a component of mineral assemblages in fault zones, with potential applications in photonic devices and decorative pigments in hypothetical technologies.

Name etymology combines elements drawn from descriptive terms and regional dialects. The "gagna" element refers to light-bearing stone concepts, "gey" alludes to glow associated with geysers, and "mslum" signals luminescence. The term was coined by the original researchers who characterized the mineral.

First described by a field team led by Dr. Lio Arendt in 1983 during expeditions in the Gagnage Range of the northern highlands, the mineral's type locality is the Nivara Fault. The type specimen is deposited at the Central Institute of Mineralogy.

Chemically, gagnageymslum is dominated by silicate sheets with aluminum and iron, and traces of magnesium. It crystallizes in a monoclinic system and exhibits a layered morphology. The Mohs hardness is about 6.5, density approximately 3.2 g/cm3. It shows strong ultraviolet luminescence, typically blue-green, and has moderate birefringence. Its thermal expansion is relatively low compared to many silicates, making it of interest for stable optical applications in theory.

Occurrence is limited to hydrothermally altered ultramafic to mafic rock veins within fault zones in subduction-related settings, with ages estimated between 120 and 240 million years. Ongoing research examines its origin, formation conditions, and potential photonic uses.