Pune holds a quiet but extraordinary distinction in the world of geology. The city’s Wagholi quarry area, located about 25 kilometres east of Pune on the Pune–Ahmednagar Road, is considered the most important and reliable source of Cavansite, a rare vivid blue mineral, found almost nowhere else in comparable quality or quantity.
Cavansite, known for its striking turquoise-to-deep-blue crystal formations, is one of the most sought-after minerals among collectors and museums worldwide. While small and inferior deposits have been reported in parts of the United States, Brazil and New Zealand, experts say that specimens displayed in museums across the world almost always originate from Pune.
The mineral was first discovered in significant quantities in the late 1980s during large-scale basalt quarrying in Wagholi. These quarries cut through layers of volcanic rock belonging to the Deccan Traps, one of the largest volcanic formations on Earth. Cavansite forms inside tiny cavities, known as vesicles, within this basalt, where mineral-rich fluids crystallised over millions of years.
What sets Wagholi apart is the exceptional quality of its Cavansite crystals. The stones found here are known for their intense blue colour, sharp crystal structure and well-defined formations features rarely matched elsewhere. Because of this, Wagholi is widely regarded as the world’s premier source of Cavansite.
Geologists and mineral experts often describe Cavansite as both a collector’s gem and a geological wonder. Its beauty makes it highly desirable, while its formation offers insight into ancient volcanic activity on the Deccan Plateau. As a result, Cavansite from Pune is studied not only for its aesthetic value but also for what it reveals about Earth’s geological past.
However, this rarity has become even more pronounced in recent years. Quarrying activity in Wagholi has been significantly restricted or shut down due to environmental and safety concerns. The use of explosives in earlier years caused cracks in nearby houses, leading to tighter controls on mining. As a result, fresh Cavansite discoveries have become increasingly scarce.
With most quarries now closed or operating under strict limitations, existing Cavansite specimens from Wagholi have grown even more valuable. Collectors consider them irreplaceable, and experts note that new high-quality finds are unlikely in the future.
Despite its global fame among mineral enthusiasts, Cavansite remains relatively unknown to the wider public. Yet this rare blue crystal stands as another reminder of Pune’s unique natural heritage, a small suburb of the city quietly supplying museums and collections across the world with one of Earth’s most beautiful and elusive minerals.
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