Axinite

Axinite is a mineral that belongs to the silicates. It has a hardness of 6.5 to 7. It is translucent with a vitreous sheen. Most often, we can see axinite in several shades of mostly brown color, but when we shine a light on the crystal, the color scale can range from yellow, orange to red, gray-brown to dark purple. It is piezoelectric (which is the ability of a crystal to generate electrical voltage when deformed). Axinite was described in 1797 by René Just Haüy, who derived its name from the Greek word for ax ἀξίνη (after the wedge-shaped crystals with sharp edges). The group of axinites includes ferroaxinite (iron predominates), manganaxinite (manganese predominates) and magnesioaxinite (magnesium predominates).

Axinites up to 20 centimeters long are mined in the Brazilian state of Bahía, which are used in jewelry. Other significant deposits are in Mexico, Australia, Russia, Switzerland and Tanzania, on Czech territory near Mirošov, Lažan and Zbraslav.