Axinite is a mineral with a hardness of 7 out of 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness [?]. These Triclinicly structured gems are made of complex borosilicate, their full chemical compound being CaFeMgBal2Si4O15(OH).

Axinite is a honey brownish to dark brown gem that is named after the axe head like crystal structures that are usually found. It is usually found in and around granite deposits, and is often mistaken (and sometimes sold by mistake) as smokey quartz.

The gem is piezoelectric and because of this has been used to remove hair and lint from unwanted objects. A negative side effect of this is that it will also gather up dust sitting on your shelf much faster than the other objects.

Axinite has been regularly mined in the United States (California and New Jersey), Brazil, England, Mexico, France, Tanzania, and Sri Lanka.

Quality non included properly cut axinite can sell for $100 a carat or more, most specimens however do not sell for this much.

Colors vary but are for the most part brown with a hint of purple or violet, and sometimes even hints of blue.

The specific gravity [?] for Axinite is 3.28, its refractive index [?] is 1.67-1.70, and its double refraction [?] is 0.011.

History

We currently have no historical information in regards to Axinite.

Industrial Usages

We currently have no industrial information in regards to Axinite.

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