Axinite (single crystal) from Dauphiné (Oisans massif - France)

Discover a gem-quality single crystal of Axinite from the Dauphiné in the Oisans massif (Alpes, France) showing a nice pleochroism from brown to violet.

Axinite from the Oisans region of the French Alps is particularly prized for its remarkable crystal quality. This mineral, a complex borosilicate containing calcium, iron and manganese, takes the form of elongated, tabular crystals with brownish-purple to brownish-red hues, often translucent and lustrous. The finest specimens from the Oisans region, mined in ancient metamorphic and alpine zones, are highly prized by collectors for their beauty and rarity. Axinite is often associated with other minerals such as quartz or epidote, forming samples of great aesthetic value. This mineral testifies to the geological richness of the Oisans, a region where metamorphism and tectonic activity have favored the formation of exceptional minerals.