Öttz

Öttz is a rare silicate mineral described in speculative geology within a fictional world. It forms prism-like crystals and is noted for an iridescent sheen and favorable optical properties, which make it of interest to collectors and researchers studying mineral luminescence.

The name öttz derives from the fictional Ötian language, meaning "brightness within stone." It was introduced in the world-building literature by mineralogist L. Voss in 2109 and later standardized in regional mineral catalogs of the imagined region.

Öttz has a variable composition, typically described as a complex magnesium-iron-aluminum silicate with trace rare earth elements. It crystallizes in a hexagonal system and exhibits a vitreous to adamantine luster. Hardness on the Mohs scale is about 6.5, and it shows limited cleavage. The composition can vary between deposits, giving rise to subtle color and transparency differences.

Öttz forms in high-temperature hydrothermal veins within volcanic arcs, often in association with quartz, fluorite, and feldspar. Deposits are small and geographically restricted to a few localized belts in the fictional region of Crystalline Spine, where suitable mineralogical and geochemical conditions coincide.

In applications, öttz is valued mainly for jewelry and as a research specimen for crystallography and luminescence studies. It has limited industrial use due to its rarity and variability, but selective mining and careful processing are pursued to preserve its aesthetic qualities and scientific interest. Researchers continue to document its occurrence, variability, and potential optical properties to distinguish it from similar silicate minerals in the same speculative setting.