mandritega

Mandritega is a fictional mineral species described in speculative geology and worldbuilding literature. In the imagined setting, it is a borosilicate-aluminosilicate mineral that forms during late-stage metamorphism in serpentinite belts and hydrothermal veins. The name combines a root from the ancient Riftlands language meaning glow with the suffix -tega, meaning stone.

Physically, mandritega typically occurs as short prismatic crystals or fibrous masses. It has a Mohs hardness of about 6.5 to 7, a vitreous luster, and a refractive index around 1.62 to 1.70. The color ranges from deep indigo to violet, with strong blue fluorescence under ultraviolet light and pronounced pleochroism, so the stone may appear different colors when viewed from different angles.

Occurrence and formation are described in the lore as taking place in ultramafic and metabasalt sequences where hydrothermal fluids interact with serpentinized rocks, often near fault zones in the Riftlands. It is commonly associated with serpentine, magnetite, and chromite, and may form in both pegmatitic pockets and vein systems within metamorphic complexes.

Uses and value are framed around jewelry and ornamental carving, thanks to its distinctive coloration and fluorescence. Synthetic mandritega can be produced by hydrothermal or flux-growth methods and is used in decorative pieces and small sculpture. Market value in the fictionally envisioned world depends on color purity, fluorescence intensity, and crystal quality.

Etymology and cultural significance note that mandritega is sometimes described in lore as a protective stone thought to aid travelers and enhance intuition. In-world scholars trace the name to mandra, meaning glow, and tega, meaning stone, reflecting its luminous character.