metallspiks

Metallspiks are a hypothetical class of metallic minerals defined by slender, acicular crystals that radiate in spike-like assemblages. The name combines metall- with spik(e)s, reflecting their imagined needle-shaped crystal habit. The term appears in speculative geology and science fiction, where Metallspiks are described as forming under extreme cooling of metal-rich melts in planetary crusts or impact structures.

In the most common fictional accounts, Metallspiks consist mainly of iron-nickel-tungsten alloys with trace elements such as chromium or cobalt. They are noted for high density, metallic luster, and hardness that can vary with composition. Individual crystals typically range from millimeters to centimeters, while aggregates form starburst, bristled, or radiating morphologies that resemble metallic hedgehogs.

Formation and distribution are typically tied to shock metamorphism or meteoritic influx in fictional settings. Conditions described include rapid quenching of molten metal under high pressure in impact craters or rapid crystallization within volcanic or tectonic shear zones. No real-world mineral database recognizes Metallspiks as a distinct species.

In literature and media, Metallspiks are often invoked to explain anomalous sharp edges, high surface area, or unusual magnetic properties. They are sometimes explored as candidates for advanced materials in speculative technologies, but their status remains confined to fiction and world-building rather than established science.

Status: Metallspiks have no standing as a formally recognized mineral group in contemporary mineralogy. The concept is used primarily for narrative or hypothetical material-science exploration and may vary across works.