Tinzenite
A variety of Axinite Group
What is Tinzenite?
Axinite is a brown to violet-brown, or reddish-brown bladed group of minerals composed of calcium aluminium boro-silicate, (Ca,Fe,Mn)3Al2BO3Si4O12OH. Axinite is pyroelectric and piezoelectric. The axinite group includes: Axinite-(Fe) or ferroaxinite, Ca2FeAl2BOSi4O15(OH) iron rich, clove-brown, brown, plum-blue, pearl-gray Axinite-(Mg) or magnesioaxinite, Ca2MgAl2BOSi4O15(OH) magnesium rich, pale blue to pale violet; light brown to light pink Axinite-(Mn) or manganaxinite, Ca2MnAl2BOSi4O15(OH) manganese rich, honey-yellow, clove-brown, brown to blue Tinzenite, (CaFeMn)3Al2BOSi4O15(OH) iron – manganese intermediate, yellow, brownish yellow-green Axinite is sometimes used as a gemstone.
Optical Properties
- Refractive Index
- 1.690-1.705
- Pleochroism
- Thick sections - weak: light brown, violet, light yellow, colorless
- Optical Character
- Biaxial negative
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Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Lemon-yellow, orange, red
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 6.5 - 7
- Streak
- White
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- Ca2Mn2+4Al4B2Si8O302
- Elements
- Al, B, Ca, H, Mn, O, Si
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