sputabis

Sputabis is a fictional mineral described in science fiction literature, tabletop role-playing games, and game supplements. It is portrayed as a dense, iridescent substance found in basaltic rock and exoplanetary geology. In various narratives, sputabis is valued for its purported energy storage capacity and its resistance to heat, making it a staple in techno-thriller world-building.

The name sputabis is fictional, created for world-building. It has no established linguistic origin beyond its use in stories.

In published works, sputabis crystals range from translucent to opaque with a blue-green to violet iridescence. Reported hardness is described as 6 on the Mohs scale; density is often placed near 3.3 g/cm3. It is frequently attributed with high thermal stability and with unique dielectric or magnetic properties, though these characteristics vary by author and setting.

In-universe formation occurs in hydrated hydrothermal systems associated with basaltic volcanism, and in sub-surface pockets on select exoplanets. It is typically found as veins within basalt and ultramafic rocks, sometimes alongside other conductive or energy-rich minerals.

Uses include energy storage in fictional devices, power cells for spacecraft, and decorative jewelry in some settings. Its scarcity and the difficulty of extraction under high-temperature conditions shape its role in trade and geopolitics within those narratives, contributing to its status as a coveted and contested resource in several storylines.