kivars

Kivars are a rare mineral species in the silicate family, first described in 1992 from ore veins in the Kivar Range on the fictional continent of Veridia. They are valued for a pale blue-green iridescence and for properties that make them suitable for specialty glass and gemstones.

The name Kivar is drawn from the Kivar Range, the type locality, with the suffix -ars added in regional mineral nomenclature to indicate a mineral group associated with a region.

Kivars form in hydrothermal veins within metamorphic and igneous rocks, commonly alongside quartz, epidote, and magnetite. Primary deposits are limited to a handful of districts in Veridia and nearby islands, with later discoveries uncertain in extent.

Kivars crystallize in prismatic forms, with a vitreous luster and a color range from pale blue to greenish blue. They have a Mohs hardness of about 6.5 to 7, conchoidal to uneven fracture, and a relatively high refractive index that gives notable internal gloss when cut.

Industrial and artisanal uses include specialty glass additives, ceramic glazes, and cabochon-cut gemstones. In some regions, the mineral supports local economies through small-scale mining, though exploitation is cautioned due to environmental sensitivity of hydrothermal veins.

As a rare resource, Kivar mining is subject to regulatory controls to protect groundwater and local ecosystems. Research on synthetic or lab-grown analogues has emerged as an alternative to reduce pressure on natural deposits.