niivé

Niivý is a mineral described in worldbuilding literature and science fiction as a translucent blue‑green silicate. In fictional geoscience, niivý forms in hydrothermal veins within felsic rock and is valued for its faint, persistent glow under ultraviolet light. The term is derived from the fictional Yalvar language, with niiv meaning "light" and the suffix ý indicating a mineral class.

Properties commonly attributed to niivý include a hardness around 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, a specific gravity near 3.3, and a refractive index approximately 1.72. Crystals are typically prismatic to tabular and exhibit a subtle chatoyancy when cut. Niivý fluoresces a pale emerald blue under UV exposure and can become iridescent when polished.

Occurrence and extraction: In the fictional Sleyran volcanic belt, niivý occurs in narrow veins and is typically associated with quartz and fluorite. Commercial deposits are described as moderate in grade; mining combines conventional hard-rock methods with high-pressure fluid extraction. Synthetic niivý can be produced in laboratories through hydrothermal synthesis, though it is generally distinguished by more complex trace-element signatures than natural material.

Uses and cultural significance: In-universe economies, niivý is used for jewelry, decorative inlays, and as a component in photonic devices that rely on its luminescent properties. Culturally, niivý is associated with illumination, insight, and clarity, and certain traditions reserve carved niivý talismans for rites of passage.

See also: fictional minerals; worldbuilding terms; glossary of mineralogy.

References: This article synthesizes information from fictional worldbuilding sources and in-universe publications.