vitris

Vitris is a term used primarily in fictional geology and speculative science to denote a translucent, glass-like mineral. The concept appears in various works of science fiction and in theoretical discussions about novel silicate materials.

Described properties in these contexts include a color range from colorless to pale blue, a vitreous (glass-like) luster, and a crystalline habit that can be prismatic or tabular. In many depictions, vitris has a hardness around 6 on the Mohs scale and a high refractive index, giving it notable brilliance. Densities are typically stated in the range of 2.8 to 3.5 g/cm3, though exact values vary by author.

Formation and environment: Vitris is often described as forming in hydrothermal veins with silica-rich fluids, under high-temperature and pressure conditions, or as a mineral precipitated from magmatic or meteoric processes in fictional worlds.

Taxonomy and status: Vitris is not recognized as a distinct mineral species by the International Mineralogical Association. Because it is largely a construct of fiction, real-world references typically treat vitris as a hypothetical material or a metaphor for glass-like minerals. In storytelling, it is sometimes employed as a lightweight lens material, ornament, or energy storage medium, depending on the narrative.

Etymology: The name is likely derived from vitreous, Latin for glass-like, with the suffix -ris used to evoke mineral nomenclature.