Category Silicate mineral Crystal system Orthorhombic | Formula
(repeating unit) Ca(VO)Si4O10·4(H2O) Space group Pcmn | |
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Crystal class Dipyramidal (mmm)
H–M Symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m) Unit cell a = 9.792(2) Å,
b = 13.644(3) Å,
c = 9.629(2) Å; Z = 4 | ||
Cavansite, whose name is derived from its chemical composition, calcium vanadium silicate, is a deep blue hydrous calcium vanadium phyllosilicate mineral, occurring as a secondary mineral in basaltic and andesitic rocks along with a variety of zeolite minerals. Discovered in 1967 in Malheur County, Oregon, cavansite is a relatively rare mineral. It is polymorphic with the even rarer mineral, pentagonite. It is most frequently found in Pune, India and in the Deccan Traps, a large igneous province.
Contents
Uses of cavansite
While cavansite does contain vanadium, and could thus be a possible ore source for the element, it is not generally considered an ore mineral. However, because of its rich color and relative rarity, cavansite is a sought after collector's mineral.
Associated minerals
References
Cavansite Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA