valgelible

Valgelible is a fictional mineral described in the geoscience lexicon of the imagined world of Elaria. It is characterized by iridescent, gem-like crystals and notable photoluminescence.

Valgelible typically forms in hydrothermal veins in ultramafic rock suites. Crystals are prismatic to tabular, with a vitreous to adamantine luster, and colors from pale emerald to electric blue. It often exhibits strong sheen that shifts with viewing angle. Its hardness on the Mohs scale is generally placed around 6.5 to 7, and it shows a high refractive index with distinct birefringence under polarized light. The chemical composition is described variably in fictional sources, but is commonly depicted as a complex silicate containing aluminum, silicon, and trace dopants such as vanadium or titanium that drive its color and luminescence.

Valgelible was first described by mineralogists in the Valgel Highlands in the storyline's geology. The name combines the region name with the suffix -ible to suggest its gem-like character.

In the fictional economy of Elaria, valgelible is prized for jewelry and decorative carvings, and is investigated for photonic applications due to its luminescence and nonlinear optical properties. Real-world analogs in the story's world guide synthetic production and trade.

Because valgelible is a literary construct, specimens are scarce in in-world museums, and debates center on authenticity, synthesis methods, and the interpretation of its spectral features.