Axinite-(Mn)
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Axinite-(Mn)
Formula:
Ca2Mn2+Al2BSi4O15(OH)
Colour:
Brown, golden-yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Hardness:
6½ - 7
Specific Gravity:
3.306 - 3.358
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Member of:
Name:
Iron-rich axinite was named in 1797 by Rene Just Haüy from the Greek αξίνα ("axina") for "axe", in allusion to the common habit of its crystals. Manganese-dominant axinite was reported by Frederick A. Genth in 1891, who noted that Franklin, New Jersey axinite had the highest known manganese contents. Robert Mauzelius also found manganese-dominant axinite in 1895. Manganaxinite was formally named by Waldemar T. Schaller in 1909 and manganaxinit was used by J. Fromme in 1909, both mentioning Franklin, New Jersey. Manganoaxinite was used by Schaller in 1911, but Schaller did not provide a species description as his research material was "destroyed by fire." Manganaxinite was used by Gregori Aminoff in 1919 when referring to specimens from Franklin, New Jersey, USA and a complete species description was finally made by Charles Palache in 1929 and was expanded by Palache (1935), both based on Franklin, New Jersey specimens. Renamed with suffix "-(Mn)" by IMA in 2007.
Type Locality:
Axinite Group. Axinite-(Fe)-Axinite-(Mn) Series, and the Axinite-(Mn)-Tinzenite Series. The Mn2+ analogue of Axinite-(Fe) and Axinite-(Mg).
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Axinite-(Mn).
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Axinite-(Mn).Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2502
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2502:3
Similar Names
| Axinit | A synonym of 'Axinite' | |
| Axinite | A synonym of Axinite Group | |
| Axinite-(Fe) | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Ca2Fe2+Al2BSi4O15OH |
| Axinite-(Fe)-Axinite-(Mn) Series | A solid-solution series between two end-member minerals | |
| Axinite-(Mg) | A valid IMA mineral species | Ca2MgAl2BSi4O15OH |
| Axinite-(Mn)-Tinzenite Series | A solid-solution series between two end-member minerals |
IMA Classification of Axinite-(Mn)
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA status notes:
Renamed by the IMA
IMA Formula:
Ca4Mn2+2Al4[B2Si8O30](OH)2
Approval history:
Renamed by the CNMNC IMA in 2007 from manganaxinite to Axinite-(Mn) (IMA 07-C).
Classification of Axinite-(Mn)
9.BD.20
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
B : Sorosilicates
D : Si2O7 groups, with additional anions; cations in tetrahedral [4] and greater coordination
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
B : Sorosilicates
D : Si2O7 groups, with additional anions; cations in tetrahedral [4] and greater coordination
56.2.2.3
56 : SOROSILICATES Si2O7 Groups, With Additional O, OH, F and H2O
2 : Si2O7 Groups and O, OH, F, and H2O with cations in [4] and/or >[4] coordination
56 : SOROSILICATES Si2O7 Groups, With Additional O, OH, F and H2O
2 : Si2O7 Groups and O, OH, F, and H2O with cations in [4] and/or >[4] coordination
17.5.40
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
5 : Borosilicates
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
5 : Borosilicates
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Ax-Mn | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Ax | Kretz (1983) | Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279. |
| Ax | Siivolam & Schmid (2007) | Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download |
| Ax | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
| Axn | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Axinite-(Mn)
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Brown, golden-yellow
Streak:
White
Hardness:
6½ - 7 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{100} good, {001}, {110}, and {011} poor
{100} good, {001}, {110}, and {011} poor
Density:
3.306 - 3.358 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.31 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Axinite-(Mn)
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.672 - 1.693 nβ = 1.677 - 1.701 nγ = 1.681 - 1.704
2V:
Measured: 69° to 87°, Calculated: 62° to 82°
Birefringence:
0.01
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.009 - 0.011
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
strong
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Yellow-colorless to amber-pale yellow.
Chemistry of Axinite-(Mn)
Mindat Formula:
Ca2Mn2+Al2BSi4O15(OH)
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Ti,Fe,Mg,Na,K,H2O
Crystallography of Axinite-(Mn)
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Setting:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.161 Å, b = 9.190 Å, c = 8.978 Å
α = 88.26°, β = 82.8°, γ = 77.26°
α = 88.26°, β = 82.8°, γ = 77.26°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.779 : 1 : 0.977
Unit Cell V:
571.75 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Bladed crystals, also compact granular
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0012354 | Axinite-(Mn) | Belokoneva E L, Pletnev P A, Spiridonov E M (1997) Crystal structure of low-manganese tinzenite (severginite) Crystallography Reports 42 934-937 | 1997 | Tungatarovskoe manganese deposit, Izhevsk, Udmurt Republic, Russia | 0 | 293 | |
| 0003659 | Axinite-(Mn) | Andreozzi G B, Lucchesi S, Graziani G, Russo U (2004) Site distribution of Fe2+ and Fe3+ in axinite mineral group: New crystal-chemical formula Sample 47 American Mineralogist 89 1763-1771 |  | 2004 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.31 Å | (20) |
| 6.16 Å | (5) |
| 5.86 Å | (3) |
| 4.54 Å | (5) |
| 3.69 Å | (14) |
| 3.47 Å | (70) |
| 3.44 Å | (15) |
| 3.28 Å | (9) |
| 3.16 Å | (100) |
| 3.08 Å | (5) |
| 3.02 Å | (9) |
| 2.994 Å | (10) |
| 2.967 Å | (14) |
| 2.937 Å | (8) |
| 2.891 Å | (18) |
| 2.810 Å | (50) |
| 2.793 Å | (4) |
| 2.755 Å | (5) |
| 2.667 Å | (9) |
| 2.652 Å | (5) |
| 2.578 Å | (8) |
| 2.565 Å | (7) |
| 2.476 Å | (6) |
| 2.439 Å | (9) |
| 2.418 Å | (10) |
| 2.400 Å | (3) |
| 2.366 Å | (8) |
| 2.263 Å | (4) |
| 2.206 Å | (7) |
| 2.189 Å | (16) |
| 2.164 Å | (7) |
| 2.159 Å | (6) |
| 2.129 Å | (8) |
| 2.065 Å | (10) |
| 2.061 Å | (8) |
| 2.035 Å | (6) |
| 2.002 Å | (11) |
| 1.993 Å | (9) |
| 1.955 Å | (6) |
| 1.925 Å | (9) |
| 1.789 Å | (4) |
| 1.784 Å | (4) |
| 1.719 Å | (4) |
| 1.702 Å | (7) |
| 1.675 Å | (3) |
| 1.664 Å | (3) |
| 1.653 Å | (4) |
| 1.634 Å | (8) |
| 1.622 Å | (4) |
| 1.597 Å | (4) |
Comments:
ICDD 27-84 (Babbitt, Minnesota, USA)
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits | |
| 33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) |
Type Occurrence of Axinite-(Mn)
General Appearance of Type Material:
Yellow bladed crystals and yellow granular masses
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Zinc-Iron polymetalic metamorphosed deposit hosted by marble
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Axinite-(Mn)
Other Language Names for Axinite-(Mn)
Dutch:Axiniet-(Mn)
Esperanto:Manganaksinito
French:Axinite-(Mn)
Norwegian:Axinitt-(Mn)
Russian:Аксинит-(Mn)
Relationship of Axinite-(Mn) to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Axinite Group:
| Axinite-(Fe) | Ca2Fe2+Al2BSi4O15OH | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Axinite-(Mg) | Ca2MgAl2BSi4O15OH | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Tinzenite | Ca2Mn2+4Al4[B2Si8O30](OH)2 | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 109 photos of Axinite-(Mn) associated with Willemite | Zn2SiO4 |
| 87 photos of Axinite-(Mn) associated with Andradite | Ca3Fe3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 80 photos of Axinite-(Mn) associated with Epidote | (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| 59 photos of Axinite-(Mn) associated with Rhodonite | CaMn3Mn[Si5O15] |
| 52 photos of Axinite-(Mn) associated with Margarosanite | Ca2PbSi3O9 |
| 48 photos of Axinite-(Mn) associated with Clinohedrite | CaZn(SiO4) · H2O |
| 47 photos of Axinite-(Mn) associated with Hancockite | (CaPb)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| 37 photos of Axinite-(Mn) associated with Johannsenite | CaMn2+Si2O6 |
| 37 photos of Axinite-(Mn) associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 33 photos of Axinite-(Mn) associated with Hendricksite | KZn3(Si3Al)O10(OH)2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.BD.05 | Bertrandite | Be4(Si2O7)(OH)2 |
| 9.BD.10 | Hemimorphite | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
| 9.BD.15 | Junitoite | CaZn2Si2O7 · H2O |
| 9.BD.20 | Tinzenite | Ca2Mn2+4Al4[B2Si8O30](OH)2 |
| 9.BD.20 | Axinite-(Fe) | Ca2Fe2+Al2BSi4O15OH |
| 9.BD.20 | Dubińskaite | Ca4Sc2Al4[Be2Si8O30](OH)2 |
| 9.BD.20 | Axinite-(Mg) | Ca2MgAl2BSi4O15OH |
| 9.BD.25 | Vistepite | SnMn4B2Si4O16(OH)2 |
| 9.BD.30 | Boralsilite | Al16B6O30(Si2O7) |
| 9.BD.35 | Werdingite | (Mg,Fe)2Al14Si4B4O37 |
| 9.BD.40 | Vránaite | Al16B4Si4O38 |
Fluorescence of Axinite-(Mn)
Magenta-red (SW UV) (Franklin, NJ massive material only).
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Axinite-(Mn)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2502.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Axinite-(Mn)
Reference List:
Palache, Charles (1929) Paragenetic classification of the minerals of Franklin, New Jersey. American Mineralogist, 14 (1) 1-18
Sanero, E., Gottardi, G. (1968) Nomenclature and crystal-chemistry of axinites. American Mineralogist, 53 (7-8) 1407-1410
Salviulo, Gabriella; Andreozzi, Giovanni B.; Graziani, Giorgio (2000) X-ray characterization of Mg, Fe, and Mn natural end-members of the axinite group. Powder Diffraction, 15 (3). 180-188 doi:10.1017/s0885715600011040
Zagorsky, Victor Ye.; Peretyazhko, Igor S.; Dmitrieva, Anna S. (2016) Axinite-(Mn) from miarolitic granitic pegmatites of the Malkhan gem-tourmaline deposit (Transbaikalia, Russia): composition, paragenesis and conditions of formation. European Journal of Mineralogy, 28 (4). 811-824 doi:10.1127/ejm/2016/0028-2544
Localities for Axinite-(Mn)
Showing 116 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Worner et al. (1982) |
| Trevor Dart Collection | |
| R Bottrill |
| Henry et al. (2005) |
Canada | |
| Hicken et al. (2013) |
| Dana's New Mineralogy |
Finland | |
| Ilkka Mikkola data. Identified with XRD and microprobe (WDS) |
France | |
| Cathelineau et al. (2025) |
| Gautron et al. (2001) | |
| Gaines et al. (1997) |
Germany | |
| Lumpkin et al. (1979) +1 other reference | |
| Gaines et al. (1997) |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... | |
| Martin et al. (2023) |
Ireland | |
| Ryback et al. (1988) |
Italy | |
| Penco (1964) +1 other reference |
| Redazionale (2005) |
| Balestra (2016) | |
| Antofilli et al. (1983) | |
| Redazione (2005) |
| Balestra (2016) +1 other reference |
| Castellaro et al. (2011) |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
| Vanini et al. (2019) |
| Tanca et al. (2007) |
| Orlandi (2011) +1 other reference |
Japan | |
| Nakagawa et al. (2009) |
| Toyofumi Yoshimura et al. (1969) |
| Momoi (1964) |
| Joe Cilen collection #11 (originally from Ralph Merrill/Minerals Unlimited, 1950s, labelled just "axinite") |
| Nakagawa et al. (2009) | |
| Ohe Rikosha specimens +1 other reference | |
| specimens seen in private collections in Japan (Alfredo Petrov) |
| Bernard et al. (2004) |
| Fluorite: The Collector's Choice. Extra ... +1 other reference |
| H. Momoi (1964) |
| Petrov (n.d.) |
| Akira Kato (2009) |
| Gaines et al. (1997) |
| Nakagawa et al. (2009) |
| Tanaka et al. (2016) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Kayupova (1965) |
| Kayupova (1964) | |
| V.V. Kalinin data +1 other reference |
Madagascar | |
| Larsen (2003) |
Mexico | |
| Gaines et al. (1997) |
Morocco | |
| Econ Geol (1989) |
| Sonnet et al. (1989) |
New Zealand | |
| Pringle et al. (1980) |
| Journal of Metamorphic Geology Number 2: 103 - 266 (1996) |
| Railton et al. (1990) |
| Rod Martin Collection - analysed ... |
Norway | |
| Nordrum et al. (2006) |
| Bergstøl (1965) +1 other reference |
| Nordrum et al. (2006) |
| Nordrum et al. (2005) |
| Nordrum et al. (2005) |
| Nordrum et al. (2005) | |
| Goldschmidt (1911) +1 other reference |
| Nordrum et al. (2005) |
| Nordrum et al. (2005) |
Peru | |
| - (1997) +1 other reference |
| Hyršl et al. (2000) +1 other reference | |
| Crowley et al. (1997) |
| Carles Millan Collection |
| www.luisburillominerales.com (n.d.) +3 other references |
| |
Poland | |
| Jęczmyk B. (1956) |
Romania | |
| Hârtopanu et al. (1996) +1 other reference |
| minerals-of-the-carpathians.eu (2008) |
Russia | |
| Brusnitzin +2 other references |
| Pletnev P. (1995) |
| Старикова (2011) |
| Kazachenko et al. (2006) | |
| Grant et al. (2001) |
| Pavel M. Kartashov |
| Grant et al. (2001) | |
| Grant et al. (2001) | |
| Grant et al. (2001) |
| Grant et al. (2001) | |
| Grant et al. (2001) | |
| Zagorsky et al. (2016) |
Slovakia | |
| Martin Števko-unpublished +1 other reference |
| Ozdín D. |
| Ozdín D. |
Spain | |
| Josep Carreras Penyalvert specimens |
| Tánago et al. (2012) |
Sweden | |
| Hisinger (1815) |
| |
Tajikistan | |
| Evseev et al. (2004) |
Tanzania | |
| Excalibur Mineral Corp. - Mineral News |
Turkey | |
| Oyman (2003) |
USA | |
| Gaines et al. (1997) |
| Reiter (1981) +2 other references |
| Bideaux et al. (1960) +1 other reference |
| Bideaux et al. (1960) +1 other reference | |
| Schaller (1911) +2 other references |
| Gaines et al. (1997) |
| Rocks & Min.:61:33-34. |
| Foord et al. (1989) |
| Foord et al. (1989) |
| Gaines et al. (1997) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Aminoff (1919) |
| King (n.d.) | |
| FOMS Millsite Committee (1986) | |
| Richard Gunter | |
| Palache (1935) +1 other reference | |
| Dunn (1995) |
| Leonard S.Wiener and Sigrid Ballew | |
| Lumpkin et al. (1979) |
| Gaines et al. (1997) |
| Gaines et al. (1997) |
| Montgomery +2 other references |
| Smith |
| Smith |
Quick NavTopAbout Axinite-(Mn)Unique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
La Combe de la Selle, Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans, Grenoble, Isère, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France