gekund

Gekund is a fictional mineral that appears in science fiction and speculative world-building. Described as a rare, hard silicate with a distinct green glow, gekund is valued for its stability under extreme temperatures and its polished surface luster.

Origin and distribution: In in-world narratives, gekund was first identified in 2147 by the survey team aboard the starship Persephone during expeditions to the outer Kuiper Belt. It forms in high-temperature hydrothermal veins within metamorphosed basalt and is typically found as boulder-sized nodules embedded in the matrix rock. Commercial deposits are extremely limited and geographically restricted to a few asteroidal bodies.

Properties and composition: Gekund is described as a dense silicate mineral with Mohs hardness around 7.5 to 8. Its approximate composition is given as a magnesium-iron silicate with trace rare earth elements, sometimes enriched with europium that imparts blue-green fluorescence under ultraviolet light. It shows a pale emerald-green hue in normal lighting and a vivid glow under UV. The mineral is reportedly unstable in humid terrestrial conditions.

Uses and significance: In fiction, gekund is used as a high-temperature catalyst in advanced energy systems, as a durable gemstone substitute, and as a material for radiation shielding in spacecraft. Its rarity and glow contribute to its value in in-world economies and storytelling.

Etymology and note: The name gekund is presented in-world as derived from the fictional language of the Geku, meaning "light-bearing stone." It is not a real mineral, and there are no references to gekund outside fictional universes.