liitus

Liitus is a fictional mineral described in speculative geology and world-building literature. It is a lithium-bearing silicate noted for its luminescent properties and unusually high thermal stability relative to many other lithium-bearing minerals.

Etymology and naming: The term liitus is a modern coinage used across works of fiction; there is no single authoritative origin, and authors differ in whether the name nods to luminous, shore, or purely phonetic considerations.

Physical properties: Liitus crystals are typically prismatic or tabular, colorless to pale blue-green, with a vitreous to pearly luster. Mohs hardness is described as 6 to 6.5, with imperfect cleavage and a density around 3.2–3.4 g/cm3. Under short-wave ultraviolet light, liitus glows bright blue, a property used in in-world geologic surveys.

Formation and occurrence: In the fictional context, liitus is said to form in high-temperature hydrothermal systems and lithium-rich pegmatites, often in association with quartz, spodumene, and tourmaline. It is presented as rare and localized to specific basins or volcanic districts.

Uses and cultural role: Liitus is valued in-world for potential energy storage and is frequently depicted in jewelry or carved ornaments to display its glow. In science-fiction settings, it may power energy cells or function as a ceremonial stone, driving trade and exploration.

Research and reception: Because liitus is fictional, scientific consensus does not apply, but authors frequently explore its properties for world-building consistency. Some works treat liitus as a catalyst for technological or cultural development, while others emphasize its fragility and extractive costs.

See also: fictional minerals.