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  • Ferroaxinite

Ferroaxinite

Axinite

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV
Published: June 2014
Modified: January 2022
Ferroaxinite Rough
Table of Contents
  • General Information
  • Ferroaxinite Colors
  • Alternate Names
  • Countries of Origin
  • Care

Ferroaxinite is the iron rich variety of axinite. Crystals are flat and resemble an axe head. It was originally named Espéce de Schorl in 1781 but it was renamed axinit in 1797 due to its axe like structure. In 1909 the name was revised to acknowledge the presence of iron in the chemical formula. It can be found in granite and other igneous rocks. Crystals can be brown, clove-brown, plum blue or pearl gray and are strongly trichroic. The crystals typically show internal characteristics like fractures. It can be pyroelectric and piezoelectric. Notable specimens come from France, California, and the Russian Federation.

General Information

  • Classification
  • Optical Properties
  • Characteristic Physical Properties
  • Chemistry & Crystallography
Common Name
Ferroaxinite
Species
Axinite
Transparency
Translucent-Transparent
Refractive Index
1.674-1.693
Birefringence
0.009- 0.011
Optic Character
Biaxial
Optic Sign
Negative
Polariscope Reaction
Doubly Refractive (DR)
Fluorescence
SWUV: None
LWUV: None
CCF Reaction
None
Pleochroism
Trichroic, Colorless, yellow, brown and green or yellow, blue and violet
Streak
White
Toughness
Poor
Luster
Vitreous
Stability
Brittle
Fracture
Uneven, conchoidal
Cleavage
Good
Chemical Name
iron aluminium boro-silicate
Chemical Formula
Ca2Fe 2+Al2BSi4O15(OH)

Crystal System
Triclinic
Chemistry Classification
Silicate

Ferroaxinite Colors

  • Gray Ferroaxinite
    Gray
  • Brown Ferroaxinite
    Brown
  • Blue Ferroaxinite
    Blue

Alternate Names

Axinite-(Fe)

Countries of Origin

Czechia; Portugal; Austria; Sweden; Pakistan; Morocco; Unknown; China; Russian Federation (the); Brazil; Poland; Slovakia; Chile; France; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the); Iran (Islamic Republic of); United States of America (the); Hungary; Japan; Switzerland; Spain; New Zealand; Canada; Norway; Namibia; Finland; Italy; Mexico; South Africa; Australia; Peru; Germany

Care

Ferroaxinite is brittle so take care when handling.

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