Cavacivinite is a rare calcium silicate mineral typically found in the complex alkaline environments of the Khibiny Massif and Mont Saint-Hilaire. Collectors look for its characteristic tabular orthorhombic crystals associated with rare-earth mineral assemblages in pegmatitic veins.
Is this cabvinite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch cabvinite with a known reference. Cabvinite sits at Mohs 4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Cabvinite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Cabvinite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Cabvinite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside cabvinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with cabvinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₄Si₂O₇(F,OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 2.44 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find cabvinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks country — that is the host setting where cabvinite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, microcline, nepheline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find cabvinite on the map
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