qab

Qab is a fictional mineral that appears in multiple contemporary fantasy and science fiction settings. Descriptions converge on a luminescent crystal with high energy-conducting properties. In most narratives, Qab crystals are hexagonal prisms that range in color from pale blue to violet and exhibit a soft glow in darkness. They are valued for their stability under radiation and their unusual optical effects, which can bend light or reveal hidden inscriptions when illuminated.

Geology and occurrence: Qab forms in deep crustal pockets through hydrothermal processes and is typically found in isolated, difficult-to-access deposits. The crystals are small to medium in size, and their surface faces are known for a distinctive, glassy luster. Mined Qab is carefully cut to maximize its energy-collection surface and is usually processed under strict safety protocols due to volatile fumes when heated.

Applications and commerce: In stories, Qab serves as a power source for advanced devices, including energy cores, sensors, and propulsion systems, or as a focus for magical or psionic energy. Its rarity makes it a high-value commodity, traded by specialized guilds or colonial companies. Qab artifacts—jewelry, amulets, or inscriptions—are often depicted as carrying protective or divinatory properties.

Name usage: The term Qab is sometimes used symbolically to refer to memory, revelation, or secure transmission in fictional lore, and may appear as a personal or place name within the same settings.

See also: Energy crystals, Geomaterials, In-universe trade networks.