Cavansite Gemstone: Properties, Meanings, Value & More

Cavansite gemstone is a rare and unusual crystal! What color is cavansite? It typically occurs in vibrant, sparkling blue crystal aggregates, generally in the form of little pom-pom balls called rosettes. These rosettes only grow a few centimeters tall. 

Why is cavansite rare, though? Because it’s only found in trace amounts making production and excavation quite limited. This makes cavansite highly sought-after and valued. 

Known as a stone of revelation, the cavansite crystal meaning is one of spiritual elevation, perseverance, and clarity. It can be a powerful tool in your crystal arsenal during intense periods of transition (but more on that later.)

Curious to learn more about this mystical blue gem? Join us as we break down all there is to know in this Cavansite gemstone Guide! 

About Cavansite Stone

So where does cavansite get its name? Here’s a hint: just look at its chemical makeup. This semi-precious gemstone is a calcium-vanadium-silicate, hence the name ‘ca-van-site.’

Are you a fan of British experimental pop? Popular Indie group, Heist, dedicated an entire album and title track to cavansite stone and its transformational vibes. 

On top of inspiring musical artists, cavansite is said to be a supportive and energizing zodiac stone for the Aquarius in astrology. It’s also tied to the number five in numerology. 

Interested in learning how to identify cavansite for yourself? Let’s talk about mineral traits! 

Cavansite Specifications & Characteristics

Cavansite’s intense, vivid color looks almost fake compared to the pastel crystals it usually sits beside in stores. The good news is that it's rarely faked. However, some unscrupulous sellers try to sell cavansite as pentagonite at higher mark-ups. 

You see, cavansite is a dimorph (two forms of the same mineral) of pentagonite. In fact, the two look almost identical. However, they have a very subtle difference. They both crystallize in the orthorhombic system and form spherulitic rosettes, but pentagonite usually ends with more individual elongated prismatic crystals. 

Here’s an overview of cavansite’s mineral data:

• Formula: Ca(VO)Si4O10 · 4H2O

• Mineral family: Silicate

• Composition: Calcium, vanadium, silicon, hydrogen, oxygen

• Mohs hardness: 3 to 4

• Color: Varying shades of blue

• Crystal structure: Orthorhombic

• Luster: Vitreous to pearly

• Transparency: Transparent

• Refractive index: 1.54 to 1.55

• Density: 2.21 to 2.31

• Cleavage: {010} Good 

• Fracture: Conchoidal

• Streak: Bluish-white

• Luminescence: None

• Pleochroism: Visible; X = colorless; Y = blue; Z = colorless

Mineral traits? Check! The rest is history… or is it?  

Cavansite History

In the world of geology, cavansite is considered a newbie. It wasn’t officially recognized as a mineral species till 1967 after being discovered by a group of geologists in Malheur County, Oregon (USA). The quality of the deposit, though? Not so great. 

It wasn’t until the mid-1970s that cavansite was rediscovered in Poona, India. This time around, the strikingly beautiful blue mineral stirred up a whirlwind of hype, garnering it the attention it rightly deserved. To this day, specimens from this locality are considered the highest quality cavansite, yet they are incredibly scarce! 

Cavansite is one obscure gem! As a result, there hasn’t ever been much folklore surrounding it. 

However, it has inspired some thrilling literature. One book, The Cavansite Conspiracy by Manjiri Prabhu, details the suspenseful tale of the protagonist’s connection to the precious mineral’s mysterious theft from The Crystal Museum of Minerals. 

Moving on, what is cavansite used for in terms of the metaphysical?

Cavansite Healing Properties

Like many gems, cavansite can be used as a healing stone to aid your physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.

So what does cavansite stone mean? As the Stone of Revelation, it’s believed to be especially supportive during major life changes. It’s also purported to promote internal and external healing in a myriad of ways. 

Do you practice manifestation? Cavansite may be the compass to your soul’s path. 

Continue reading to learn how cavansite can transform your mind, body, and spirit! 

Physical Healing

Physically, cavansite is said to promote full bodily recovery and rejuvenation. More specifically, it can remedy problems relating to your vision, kidneys, bladder, and throat problems. In fact, many say it’s known for its ability to cure sore throat. 

Cavansite can also help relieve tinnitus, a condition in which you experience constant ringing or other noises in one or both of your ears. 

Emotional Healing

Regarding your emotions, cavansite can help shift you into a happier, more relaxed, and balanced state of mind. 

What makes it so powerful for periods of change? Cavansite sharpens your focus, promotes optimism, helps you dispel negative influences, and form healthy relationships. 

Chakra Healing

You can use some crystals as chakra stones to activate and balance one of the seven energy points (or chakras) along the center of your body.  

Like many other blue gemstones, cavansite is especially attuned to the upper three chakras (crown, third eye, and throat). These energy points support the transmission, communication, and comprehension of your dreams.

Placing cavansite beside your bed can help you interpret your dreams. These interpretations help you discover more about your true self and your soul’s purpose.

Spiritual Healing

Cavansite’s spiritual meaning is about so much more than raising your vibrations. It’s actually considered both a psychic barrier and a healer. It allows you to employ your intuition and channeling abilities while simultaneously removing negative energy patterns.

The high vibrations that cavansite induces make it a powerful crystal for meditation and manifestation. It also provides spiritual protection — not just to you but to crystal healers during sessions, as well. 

Cavansite Gemstone Properties

Like every gemstone, cavansite has specific criteria that dictate its value. Color, cut, and carat weight all determine how cavansite specimens are graded. 

Color

Most cavansite occurs in varying shades of blue, but some specimens have shades of green running through their designs, adding to their unique aesthetic. 

Its striking blue hue is thanks to its vanadium content. Trace inclusions of apophyllite are what attributes to the occasional green coloration.

Cut

Cavansite specimens are usually far too small for faceting and too tiny even for cabochons. So instead, it’s mostly sold as a rough mineral specimen. 

Fine specimens usually have a bursting, flower-like appearance. In fact, cavansite is more of a conglomeration of tiny crystal aggregates rather than a single individual crystal.

Carat Weight

Since you can only find cavansite in small amounts, large specimens are incredibly scarce, rarely surpassing four carats. 

Treatments 

Some sellers will apply an oiling treatment to cavansite crystals to enhance dull specimens and hide any visible scratches, scuffs, or imperfections. 

Best practice dictates that sellers disclose such treatments to buyers before purchase. 

Next, let’s explore how cavansite forms! 

Cavansite Formation & Sources

Cavansite typically occurs over a substrate (or bed) of other zeolite minerals such as apophyllite or stilbite. It’s found in cracks, cavities, and vesicles of basalt breccias and andesitic tuffs.

Mining for cavansite is no easy feat. Its small, jagged formations and softness make it a delicate and difficult specimen to collect. Large deposits are extremely rare — so rare that it’s only been discovered in five geographical locations. 

On that note, where is cavansite found?

Mining Locations

Today, the highest quality cavansite comes from Poona, India, which is also thought of as the primary source of cavansite. 

The other four deposits scattered across the world are:

• Brazil

• Iceland

• New Zealand

• United States

Ready to splurge on your own cavansite? You’ll want to get familiar with costs so you can plan a budget. 

Cavansite Price & Value

As we discussed earlier, you can only find cavansite in trace amounts making mining quite challenging. As a result, crystals are more costly than other gems within markets. Fortunately, you can still find some affordable options if you look around. 

Since cavansite crystal is rarely big enough to facet or cut, you’ll mainly find it sold as a rough mineral specimen, polished or unpolished. 

• Rough cavansite generally sells for about $2.50 to $5.60 per carat. 

• Mid-quality specimens range approximately between $6 and $12.50 per carat. 

• Higher-end specimens can run you up to $2000 or more. 

Faceted cuts do exist, albeit extremely rare. If you’re lucky enough to find one, it can run you between $70 to $140 per carat.

Instead, cavansite jewelry usually contains uncut cavansite. Pieces vary depending on gem-quality and other metals used within each design. 

Cavansite crystal pendants (mainly for necklaces) generally cost around $55 to $150 for mid-range pieces. Lower-end pendants can range between $22 and $40. Higher-end pieces can run you between $200 and $400 but have fetched prices as high as $4490.

Cavansite rings are also widely available at a range of prices. You can find them costing between $43 to $300. Lower-quality rings can be found for $19 to $38. Higher-end pieces can garner prices starting at $9100 to over $20,000. 

Finally, cavansite bracelets, which aren’t quite as common, average around $210 to $505 per piece. Although, you can find some for as low as $28. 

Now that you know how to budget for cavansite, we’ll give you the low-down on how to care for your gemstones, so they last you a lifetime!

Cavansite Care and Maintenance

As you’ve learned, cavansite is relatively brittle and soft. As a result, water is likely to seep into microscopic cracks and widen them, causing bigger cracks or even breakage. In other words, you shouldn’t submerge cavansite crystals in water.

Instead, when cleaning your cavansite, use a crystal cleaner solution or a soft, non-abrasive cloth to gently dust away impurities. 

Because of its delicate nature, jewelry should always implement protective settings to secure your cavansite. Always remove it before doing anything too rigorous that could cause your cavansite gems to break or scuff. 

For safekeeping, avoid your cavansite coming into contact with:

• Other gems and minerals

• Abrasive fabrics

• Harsh chemicals

• Sudden temperature changes

• Ultrasonic or steam cleaners

Store cavansite away from harder gems in a soft pouch or fabric-lined box and temperature-controlled space.

Can’t Get Enough of Cavansite? 

Change is inevitable — why not make use of cavansite’s powers and approach each of life’s transitions with a positive outlook and grounded spirit? 

Cavansite’s bold, blue color and unique, pom-pom ball-like appearance make for an eye-catching addition to every crystal enthusiast’s collection.

If you snag some cavansite jewelry, the stone’s pretty pop of color will complement any aesthetic. Who knows? Maybe cavansite will inspire you to take on a whole new persona! 

Buy cavansite gemstones today!

Cavansite