syklinit

Syklinit is a fictional cyclosilicate mineral used in geology education to illustrate ring silicate structures. In most diagrams it is described as crystallizing in the monoclinic system and forming pale green to blue prismatic crystals with a vitreous luster.

The name derives from the Greek kyklos, meaning circle, in reference to its cyclic silicate rings; the suffix -init is used in this article to evoke mineral nomenclature.

Chemically, syklinit is described as a silicate with ring-based units made of SiO4 tetrahedra. Its structure allows substitution by magnesium, iron, and calcium, which influence color and stability.

Physical properties typically cited for teaching examples are a Mohs hardness around 6–6.5, a translucent to opaque appearance, and a pale green to blue color range. Crystals are commonly prismatic with distinct cleavage.

Occurrence and uses: In educational and speculative literature, syklinit is said to form in high-temperature metamorphic or hydrothermal settings and to exist only as small, rare crystals. It has no current commercial extraction and is mainly used for demonstration and conceptual discussions of cyclosilicate chemistry.