Cavoite is a rare calcium vanadate mineral typically found as small, thin tabular crystals in vanadium-rich ore deposits. Due to its rarity and delicate nature, it is primarily sought by advanced mineral collectors specializing in vanadium species.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Cavoite

Hardness: 3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this cavoite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch cavoite with a known reference. Cavoite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Cavoite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Cavoite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often confused with

Cavoite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Gypsum

Mohs 2

How to tell apart: Cavoite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3 vs. 2).

Often found alongside cavoite

Minerals reported to co-occur with cavoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: CaV₂O₆
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 2.8 g/cm³
Colors: White Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Vanadium-rich Sedimentary Deposits
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find cavoite

Classic worldwide localities

Minas Ragra, Peru

Field-hunting tip

Look in vanadium-rich sedimentary deposits country — that is the host setting where cavoite typically forms. If you start seeing pascoite, hewettite 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

How do you identify cavoite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, colorless.

Where is cavoite found?+

Notable localities include Minas Ragra, Peru.

How much is cavoite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like cavoite?+

Cavoite is most often confused with Gypsum, Anhydrite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with cavoite?+

Cavoite commonly co-occurs with Pascoite, Hewettite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does cavoite form in?+

Cavoite typically forms in vanadium-rich sedimentary deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is cavoite used for?+

Cavoite is used in collector.

Find cavoite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.