lekrum

Lekrum is a fictional mineral described in speculative fiction and worldbuilding communities as a rare silicate ore found in deep hydrothermal zones within basaltic crust. It is valued for high energy storage potential and distinctive luminescent properties, which have made it a common plot device in science fiction narratives and role-playing settings.

The name appears to be a neologism from a blend of imagined linguistic roots, with some authors tracing it to a hypothetical ancient dialect meaning "glow stone." The concept first circulated in online worldbuilding forums in the late 2010s and has since appeared in several short stories and game settings.

Physical properties commonly attributed to lekrum in fiction include a glassy to tabular crystal habit, a pale amber color, and a Mohs hardness around 6–6.5. In worldbuilding texts, lekrum is described as thermoluminescent and capable of releasing stored energy as light or heat when heated or struck. The ore is said to form in high-temperature, low-silica hydrothermal systems and to be concentrated in veins associated with ancient fault lines.

In fictional economies, lekrum mining is portrayed as technically challenging and environmentally sensitive, often governed by permits and strict safety protocols due to radiogenic or fume-related hazards. Its imagined applications span energy storage, advanced optics, and novel metallurgy.

As a cultural motif, lekrum often appears in narratives to symbolize hidden potential or the tension between resource scarcity and technological progress.