Axinite Value, Price, and Jewelry Informa on

Oval-cut, 3.60-ct axinite, 10.6 x 8.4 x 5.8 mm, purple brown, Pakistan. © ARK Rare Gems. Used with permission.

When faceted, the members of the axinite mineral group are usually intensely trichroic, with considerable brilliance and rich brown and purple colors domin
Although very rare, these gems could make magnificent jewelry stones.

Axinite Value
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Axinite Value via Gem Price Guide

Faceted 1 to 5 carats

   to   /ct

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Axinite Informa on
DATA VALUE

Name Axinite

Varie es Ferro-axinite, Magnesio-axinite, Manganaxinite

Crystallography  Triclinic. Dis nc ve wedge-shaped crystals; also tabular

Refrac ve Index  1.656-1.704

Colors  Violet-brown, colorless, reddish purple, pink, orange, yellowish (Mn), greenish, pale violet to reddish (Mn), viole sh blue, blue (Mg).

Luster  Vitreous.

Fracture  Uneven to conchoidal

Hardness  6.5 - 7, variable with direc on

Specific Gravity  3.26-3.36; magnesioaxinite = 3.18

Birefringence  0.010-0.012

Cleavage  Good 1 direc on

Dispersion  0.018-0.020 (Large)

Heat Sensi vity Slight

Luminescence  Red in SW (Franklin, New Jersey). Dull red in SW, orange-red in LW (Tanzania: magnesioaxinite).

Wearability  Very Good

Enhancements  None

Transparency  Translucent to transparent.

Absorp on Narrow line at 5120, broad lines at 4920 and 4660, also at 4150. Some mes lines visible at 5320, 4440, and 4150 (la er may be strong).
Spectrum 

Phenomena  Color change (Very Rare).

Formula (Ca, Mn, Fe, Mg)3Al2BSi4O15(OH).

+Mg = magnesioaxinite

If Fe > Mn = ferroaxinite

If Mn > Fe = manganaxinite

If Mn > Fe and Ca <1.5 = nzenite

Pleochroism  Intense in all colored varie es: cinnamon brown/violet-blue/olive green, yellow, or colorless.
Luning, Nevada material: pale brown to colorless/deep brown/ brownish red.

Magnesioaxinite: pale blue/pale violet/pale gray.

Manganaxinite: blue/brown/purple.

Tinzenite: pale brown/violet/colorless to yellowish.

Sri Lanka material: reddish brown/dark violet/ colorless to yellowish.

Op cs  α = 1.674 - 1.693; β = 1.681 - 1.701; γ = 1.684 - 1.704. Magnesioaxinite: α = 1.656; β = 1.660; γ = 1.668 Biaxial (-), 2V = 63-80° or more. However, may tur
high in Mg.

Etymology From the Greek axine for “axe,” alluding to the common wedge shape of its crystals. Ferroaxinite, magnesioaxinite, and manganaxinite refer to the chemical
composi on of these varie es. Tinzenite refers to the type locality of this variety, Tinzen, Switzerland.

Occurrence Axinite is found in areas of contact metamorphism and metasoma sm.

 DATA VALUE

Inclusions  Usually included.

Axinite: Baja California, Mexico (~ 2.0 cut, rough 1½ inches long). Photo © Joel E. Arem, PhD, FGA. Used with permission.

Comments
Axinites form a mineral group, which includes iron (Fe) dominant ferroaxinite, magnesium (Mg) dominant magnesioaxinite, and manganese (Mn) dominant
manganaxinite. Tinzenite is an intermediate member between ferroaxinite and manganaxinite.

Most gem-quality axinites are ferroaxinites, but you will likely encounter specimens called simply “axinites.” However, specific gems should ideally be referr
their composi on-specific names or with designa ons such as “axinite-(Fe).”
 Greenish manganaxinite crystals on acicular johannsenite crystals. Field of view 7 mm. Iron Cap Mine, Landsman Camp
(Landsman group), Aravaipa, Santa Teresa Mts, Aravaipa District, Graham County, Arizona. Photo and specimen Leon
Hupperichs. Licensed under CC By-SA 3.0.

These strongly pleochroic gems can show three colors, depending on the viewing angle, and can have significant brilliance, too. (See the “Pleochroism” sec
the Informa on Table above). With a hardness of 6.5 to 7, axinites of all varie es have “Very Good” wearability grades. This means they can withstand the r
use in most jewelry se ngs. However, these stones have anisotropic hardness. It may vary within a single specimen depending on the gem’s orienta on. In
addi on, they have somewhat bri le tenacity.

Axinites are almost never completely free of clarity flaws, such as feathers and veils. Nevertheless, because of their rarity, these exquisite gems would s ll
command the interest of both gem collectors and jewelry enthusiasts.

Most gem-quality specimens of the axinite group are iron-dominant ferroaxinites, like the rough and cut set shown here. 2.2 x 1.7 x 0.3 cm (crystal), 1.95-ct (gem), P
Saranpaul, Tyumenskaya Oblast’, Prepolar Ural, Russia. © Rob Lavinsky, www.iRocks.com. Used with permission.

Iden fying Characteris cs

Axinites are both piezoelectric and pyroelectric. They generate an electrical charge under physical pressure and when heated, respec vely.

Although typically biaxial nega ve, an axinite’s op c character may become biaxial posi ve as its Mg content increases.

Unusual viole sh blue and reddish purple color zoning has been documented in ferroaxinites from Pakistan.

Rare magnesioaxinites have demonstrated a slight color change effect. Specimens from Tanzania have shown a pink color under incandescent light and a bl
under fluorescent light. Other changes have also been noted.
 This faceted magnesioaxinite shows a very slight color change, from viole sh purple in daylight to pink in incandescent light. Diamond step cut, 0.5
7.1 x 5.7 mm, Merelani, Tanzania. © The Gem Trader. Used with permission.

Axinite and another rare gemstone, andalusite, have overlapping ranges of body and trichroic colors as well as hardness. However, axinite’
refrac ve index (RI) range and specific gravity (SG) range exceed those of andalusite.

This pear-cut axinite from Pakistan shows this gem’s strong pleochroism. When you view the gem through the crown, you’ll see a honey
brown color. When you view the gem through the pavilion, however, you’ll see a lilac hue. 3.27 cts, 12.5 x 8.5 mm. © Rob Lavinsky,
www.iRocks.com. Used with permission.

Synthe cs
No known synthe c axinites.

Enhancements
No known gemstone treatments.
 Bright orange nzenites on clear quartz crystals, 3.2 x 2.2 x 1.5 cm, Molinello Mine, Graveglia
Valley, Ne, Genova Province, Liguria, Italy. © Rob Lavinsky, www.iRocks.com. Used with
permission.

Sources
Axinites occur in many locali es across the globe, but gem-quality material is rare. Notable sources include the following:

United States: Arizona; New Melones, Calaveras County; Coarse Gold, Madera County; Yuba County, California (gemmy material); New Jersey; Luning, Nevada
(masses); Pennsylvania.

Bourg d’Oisans, France: manganaxinite (SG = 3.28, RI = 1.68-1.69, in pockets in schist).

Sri Lanka: ferroaxinite, cinnamon-brown (RIs = 1.675/1.681/1.685, birefringence = 0.010, SG = 3.31).

Tasmania, Australia; Brazil; Finland; Germany; Italy; Japan; Baja California, Mexico; Norway; Pakistan; Russia; Switzerland ( nzenite); Tanzania (magnesioaxini
manganaxinite); Cornwall, United Kingdom.
 Clove brown axinite crystals, 2.5 x 2.0 x 1.6 cm. Obira mine, Ono-gun, Oita prefecture, Kyushu
Region, Japan. © Rob Lavinsky, www.iRocks.com. Used with permission.

Stone Sizes
Axinites with clean clarity over 5 carats are difficult to find and worthy of museum display. Faceted specimens of any type over 10 carats are rare. Material
Baja California will yield gems to about 25 carats. However, if clean, these stones will cut less than 5 carats.

Smithsonian Ins tu on (Washington, DC): 23.6 (brown, Mexico).

Private Collec on: 16.5 (Baja California).

Geological Museum (Natural History Museum, London): 0.78 (magnesioaxinite, Tanzania).

Care
Although resistant to scratching due to their hardness, axinites have good cleavage and bri le tenacity. Avoid jewelry se ngs where these gems may receiv
blows.

Although axinites have very good wearability, their inclusions may pose risks if these gems are cleaned in mechanical systems. Have a gemologist examine t
iden fy any inclusions, and recommend a cleaning method. Since axinites also have some heat sensi vity, avoid boiling or steam cleaning. A so brush, mild
detergent, and warm water can serve as a safe alterna ve. Consult our gemstone jewelry cleaning guide for more recommenda ons.
 Faceted axinite, 1.02 cts, Brazil. Photo by DonGuennie. Licensed under CC By-SA 4.0.

by Joel E. Arem, Ph.D., FGA, Donald Clark, CSM IMG, Interna onal Gem Society

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