pearliet

Pearliet is a fictional mineral commonly featured in science fiction, fantasy, and game design. It is described as a pear-colored crystal with unusual energy-related properties, and it has become a recognizable trope in world-building exercises.

Physical characteristics typically described include a pear-green to amber hue, a glassy to pearly luster, and a translucent to transparent appearance. In many depictions, pearliet crystals are lightweight yet hard, and they may exhibit luminescence or phosphorescence when exposed to heat or electrical fields. Some writers attribute piezoelectric or pyroelectric effects to pearliet, enabling it to store or transfer energy.

Geological context in fiction places pearliet in hydrothermal or pegmatitic settings, often in association with other rare minerals. Its formation stories vary widely, with authors sometimes claiming rapid crystallization or specialized planetary conditions.

Uses in fiction include power sources for devices, lenses for energy focusing, and ceremonial or currency roles in certain imagined economies. Pearliet is often central to plot devices involving energy scarcity, advanced technology, or interstellar trade.

Pearliet is not a recognized mineral in real-world geology, and there are no verified laboratory syntheses or natural specimens. The term is used primarily as a fictional device for storytelling and puzzle design, rather than as an actual geological substance.