Comparison · Minerals
Apatite vs Cavansite
Apatite and Cavansite are easy to confuse because both are minerals. Apatite is harder (Mohs 5) than Cavansite (Mohs 3–4), so Apatite will scratch Cavansite and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Apatite and Cavansite
- Apatite is harder (Mohs 5) than Cavansite (Mohs 3–4), so Apatite will scratch Cavansite and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not.
- Streak color differs: Apatite leaves a white streak on unglazed porcelain, Cavansite leaves pale blue.
- Apatite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.1–3.2 versus 2.21–2.31 for Cavansite).
- They overlap in blue, but Apatite also comes in green, yellow, purple, clear, and brown.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Apatite is Hexagonal, Cavansite is Orthorhombic.
Apatite vs Cavansite properties
| Property | Apatite | Cavansite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 5 | 3–4 |
| Luster | Vitreous to subresinous | Vitreous |
| Streak | White | Pale blue |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 3.1–3.2 | 2.21–2.31 |
| Crystal system | Hexagonal | Orthorhombic |
| Common colors | Green, Blue, Yellow, Violet, Colorless, Brown | Bright blue, Deep blue |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $2–$150+ |
Which is more valuable?
Typical specimens of Apatite and Cavansite trade in a similar range, around $20.
About Apatite
Apatite is the collective name for a group of calcium phosphate minerals, chiefly hydroxylapatite, fluorapatite, and chlorapatite, sharing the general formula Ca5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH). It is the mineral that defines hardness 5 on the Mohs scale and forms the mineral component of bones and teeth in vertebrates. Gem-quality crystals range from pale green and blue to vivid neon blue-green varieties prized by collectors.
About Cavansite
Cavansite is a rare hydrous calcium vanadium silicate, Ca(VO)Si4O10 4H2O, notable for an intense, almost electric blue color rarely matched by other minerals. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, typically as radiating clusters of thin blades lining cavities in basalt. First described in 1967, it remains one of the few common minerals containing vanadium as an essential structural element.
Apatite vs Cavansite FAQ
Is Apatite the same as Cavansite?
No. Both are minerals, but they are distinct species with different hardness, streak or luster. Apatite is harder (Mohs 5) than Cavansite (Mohs 3–4), so Apatite will scratch Cavansite and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not.
How can you tell Apatite from Cavansite?
Apatite is harder (Mohs 5) than Cavansite (Mohs 3–4), so Apatite will scratch Cavansite and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not. Streak color differs: Apatite leaves a white streak on unglazed porcelain, Cavansite leaves pale blue. Apatite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.1–3.2 versus 2.21–2.31 for Cavansite).
Which is harder, Apatite or Cavansite?
Apatite is harder: Mohs 5 against Mohs 3–4 for Cavansite.
Which is more valuable, Apatite or Cavansite?
Typical specimens of Apatite and Cavansite trade in a similar range, around $20.
