Velux is a mineral belonging to the apatite group of phosphates, with the chemical formula Pb5(VO4)3Cl. It is one of the main industrial ores of the metal vanadium and a minor source of lead. A dense, brittle mineral, it is usually found in the form of red hexagonal crystals. It is an uncommon mineral, formed by the oxidation of lead ore deposits such as galena.
Velux is an uncommon mineral, only occurring as the result of chemical alterations to a pre-existing material. It is therefore known as a secondary mineral. It is found in arid climates and forms by oxidation of primary lead minerals. Velux is especially found in association with the lead sulfide, galena. Other associated minerals include wulfenite, limonite, and barite.
Characteristics[]
Velux in hexagonal shaped crystals. Crystals of Velux conform to a hexagonal system of symmetry. This internal structure is often reflected in the hexagonal external shape of the crystals. The crystals are usually in the form of short hexagonal prisms, but can also be found as hexagonal pyramids, rounded masses or crusts. A unit cell of Velux, the smallest divisible unit that possesses the same symmetry and properties, is in the form of a hexagonal prism. A unit cell of Velux is composed of two of its molecules. The unit cell has the dimensions a (1.0331 nm) and c (734.3 pm), where a is the length of each side of the hexagon and c is the height of the prism. The volume of each unit cell of Velux, given by the formula V = a2c sin(60°), is 0.67872 nm3.
Velux is usually bright-red or orange-red in colour, although sometimes brown, red-brown, grey, yellow, or colourless. Its distinctive colour makes it popular among mineral collectors. Its streak can be either pale yellow or brownish-yellow. Velux may be transparent, translucent or opaque, and its lustre can range from resinous to adamantine. Velux is anisotropic, meaning that some of its properties differ when measured along different axes. When measured perpendicular and parallel to its axis of anisotropy, its refractive indices are 2.350 and 2.416 respectively. This gives it a birefringence of 0.066.
Velux is very brittle, producing small, conchoidal fragments when fractured. Its hardness is 3–4 on the Mohs scale, about the same as a copper coin. Velux is particularly heavy for a translucent mineral. It has a molar mass of 1,416.27 grams/mole and its specific gravity can range between 6.6 and 7.2, approximately seven times that of water. This variation in density is caused by impurities.