Axinite - Gemstones

Axinite

Axinite is a gemstone which gets its name from the term 'acine' which in Greek, means axe. The colors which are available are reddish brown, violet, blue, black, colorless and yellow. Axinite was discovered by R.J.Hauy in 1797. The crystals are wedge or axe shaped. This gemstone is not a birthstone but sometimes one mistakes Axinite for Quartz .

Axinite belongs to the mineral-group called Cyclosilicates. The chemical name of Axinite is Calcium Manganese Iron Magnesium Aluminium Borosilicate Hydroxide. It is basically triclinic in structure, characterized by the absence of symmetry surfaces. The crystals can be either transparent or translucent. The gemstone has vitreous shine.

The other varieties of Axinite are:

Ferro-Axinite: when Axinite is combined with Iron.
Magnesio-Axinite: when Axinite is combined with Magnesium
Manganaxinite: when Axinite is combined with Manganese . It differs from the other varieties of Axinite in having a reddish fluorescence and an orange-yellow color. It occurs in Franklin, New Jersey.

Axinite is found in areas having metamorphic rocks .Countries where it is likely to occur are:

Mexico
France
Japan
The USA
Germany
Russia
Tanzania
Norway
England

Axinite may be used in the following ways:

Gemstone collectors surely possess Axinite but it is not very abundantly used as jewelry.
Only small crystals are used if in any case jewelry is made.
It drives away negative energy.
The stone is good for people who have a spiritual bent of mind.

Axinite may be rare and expensive but the glassy luster and vibrant colors make the gemstone a real beauty.