Axinite is a rare group of silicate minerals that usually occur in long, flat, axe- or spatula-shaped crystals. The name "axinite" was derived in 1787 from a Greek word meaning "axe". All members of axinite mineral group share the same crystal system, and have slightly different compositions. Axinite color varies from lilac to violet and from brown to reddish brown depending on its composition, but most axinite gemstones occur with a golden brown color.
Axinite is one of the few gemstones that possess a unique feature known as pleochroism (capability to display a variety of colors depending on the light and angle from which they are viewed). When a polished crystal of axinite is rotated, different colors are displayed. Axinite is a very popular gemstone among mineral collectors due to its rarity and unusual crystal structure and crystal shapes, and pleochroism.
Axinite gemstones develop and form within cavities and veins of granite. Some of the finest Axinite crystals have come from France, Switzerland, England, Brazil, Mexico, USA, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Tanzania, Japan, Australia, Canada. Russia has produced exceptionally well-formed, large transparent crystals in the Urals. Also in Russia is the famed locality of Dalnegorsk, Primorskiy Kray, which has produced distinct, pointy aggregates of axinite.
Axinite almost always has inclusions and eye-clean specimens are very rare. Axinite has a vitreous luster when cut and polished. Axinite is typically faceted and not cut en cabochon, unlike smoky quartz, which can closely resemble axinite. Traditional cuts like oval, round, pear and cushion are most popular, but since axinite is relatively rare and unheard of, fancy shapes such as trillions and hearts are hard to find due to limited demand.
