lightstone

Lightstone is a term used in fantasy and speculative fiction to describe a fictional mineral notable for its luminescent properties. In many worlds it stores light energy and re-emits it as visible light after exposure, producing a steady afterglow in darkness. In some depictions lightstone is a transparent or translucent crystal that can glow in colors ranging from pale blue to green or amber depending on trace impurities.

Lightstone absorbs electromagnetic energy from daylight or artificial light and releases it gradually. The duration of the afterglow varies with the stone’s size, crystal quality, and stored energy, from minutes to hours. The color is influenced by impurities such as rare earth elements or lattice defects.

In fiction, lightstone forms in hydrothermal veins or metamorphic environments where it incorporates special defects in its lattice or rare earth dopants. Some settings describe it as being recharged by sunlight, moonlight, or arcane energies.

Lightstone serves as a portable light source, emergency beacon, or decorative gemstone. It often features in navigation, mining camps, and trade networks in fantasy economies. In some works, lightstone also acts as a conduit for magical or technological systems, powering lamps, sigils, or devices when charged.

Notes: Lightstone is a fictional mineral and not recognized by real-world geology. Its properties resemble those of phosphorescent materials, which store energy and release light, but do not function as described in fantasy settings. The term is widely used in literature, games, and world-building.