zboí

Zboí is a fictional mineral characterized by prismatic crystals that exhibit a deep blue to violet color and a subtle iridescent rind. It is described in various worldbuilding texts as forming in pegmatitic pockets within basaltic formations on remote island chains. The mineral is typically translucent and displays a distinctive glow under ultraviolet light.

The name zboí derives from the Zboic language, where zbo means "glimmer" and í marks a diminutive suffix; the term entered the lexicon of speculative geology in the 18th century through maritime traders described in the imagined archives of the Varin Isles.

In most depictions, zboí has a hexagonal crystal system with a Mohs hardness around 7, and a refractive index about 1.62–1.70. Its composition is described as a silicate framework with aluminum and magnesium, enriched with trace rare-earth elements, which give the color and pale luminescence. It shows strong blue fluorescence under UV light and moderate piezoelectric response in some worldbuilding notes.

Zboí is said to occur primarily in deep pegmatites within volcanic regions of the Varin Archipelago; commercial mining is usually limited due to remote locations and small deposit sizes.

In fictional economies, zboí is used as a gemstone for jewelry and as a reserve commodity in local currencies. Culturally, it is associated with memory and calm; legends say it captures starlight at night and relieves anxiety when held.