Axinite
Revision as of 06:40, 24 July 2013 by (username removed)
Description
A rare, transparent clove-brown gemstone with flashes of violet and gray. Axinite was first discovered in Bourg d'Oisans in France. Current sources include alluvial deposits in Sri Lanka and some mines in the U.S.(California, Nevada, New Jersey). Axinite crystals can also be colorless, yellow, or black. The crystals are pyroelectric and piezoelectric.
Synonyms and Related Terms
Axinit (Deut.); axinita (Esp.)
Other Properties
Triclinic crystal system often found as flattened tabular crystals with sharp edges and striations. Cleavage good in one direction. Fracture = uneven to conchoidal.
Luster = vitreous. Streak = colorless.
| Composition | (Ca,Mn,Fe,Mg)3Al2BSi4O15(OH) |
|---|---|
| Mohs Hardness | 6.5 - 7.0 |
| Density | 3.3-3.4 |
| Refractive Index | 1.67 - 1.70 |
Additional Images
axinite
Authority
- R.F.Symmes, T.T.Harding, Paul Taylor, Rocks, Fossils and Gems, DK Publishing, Inc., New York City, 1997
- C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
- Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "axinite." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2005. Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service. 3 Sept. 2005 : hardness = 6.5-7, ri=1.67-1.70, sp=3.3-3.4
- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axinite (Accessed Sept 2, 2005; hardness = 6.5-7, ri=1.68-1.723, sp=3.26-3.41)