Mindat documents Vivianite as a valid grandfathered mineral species named by Abraham Gottlob Werner in 1817 for John Henry Vivian, with a Cornwall type locality. Fresh material may be nearly colorless and commonly changes toward blue or greenish-blue as oxidation and exposure progress. A substantial distinct historical folklore tradition is not well documented, so none is invented here.

Vivianite is commonly associated in contemporary metaphysical practice with the heart, compassion, grief, forgiveness, and moving through deeply held emotional pain. These are metaphysical associations, not scientifically established effects.