zarffiil

Zarffiil is a rare crystalline mineral described in speculative mineralogy and science fiction. It forms iridescent, prismatic crystals that fluoresce under ultraviolet light and are valued for optical and energetic properties.

The name zarffiil is derived from zar-, a root meaning light in the Nyx frontier mining dialect, combined with fiil, a term for stone in the regional trade language.

Zarffiil was first reported in 2124 by the Vespera Expedition during geology surveys of Nyx Prime’s volcanic foothills. Subsequent discoveries identified pockets in hydrothermally altered basalts on the Szura Plateau and scattered subsurface deposits on nearby bodies.

It has a hardness around 6.5 on the Mohs scale, a refractive index near 1.65, and exhibits strong birefringence. Compositional models describe zarffiil as a complex silicate-aluminate mineral with trace iridium; it is translucent to transparent and ranges in color from pale azure to violet. It is sensitive to rapid thermal changes and fractures easily when stressed.

Zarffiil forms in high-temperature hydrothermal zones near ultramafic magmas, where fluoride-rich fluids interact with silicate melts. It is typically associated with other volatile-bearing minerals and rare oxide phases.

The mineral is mined under restrictive interstellar accords due to its scarcity. It is used in photonic devices, experimental energy-storage prototypes, and high-precision reflectors.

Related topics include mineralogy, silicate minerals, and hypothetical minerals. References include IMI-1035 (2125); Nyx Prime Geological Survey Bulletin 7; and the Journal of Speculative Mineralogy, 2126.