Axinite from New Melones Dam, California, USA

A relatively pristine and sharp axinite specimen. There are only two small chips, though the "step" in the main termination is crystallized, and not damage. The two colors of the dichroism of the axinite are easily visible because one crystal had grown perpendicular to the other, resulting in both the purple and rich brown hues being viewable simultaneously.

Ex. Jim and Dawn Minette #WW329. Personally collected by the Minettes in 1981.

A write-up from Dan Weinrich:

"In 1981, during construction of a spillway at this locality, an area was intersected that was rich in top quality axinite-(Fe) specimens. This is an outstanding example from that find. Several large sharp brown glassy mostly transparent crystals of axinite-(Fe) to 2.3 cm in size are set aesthetically upon a small amount of epidote rich matrix. The crystals are complete all around 360 degrees. Most specimens seen from this find exhibit some damage; this one is razor sharp and exceptionally free of damage and chipping. The quality is outstanding! Size: 3.8 x 3.4 x 2.5 cm. Ex Dawn and Jim Minette collection #WW329. Their data card note that this was personally collected. Ref: The Mineralogical Record 13 (5), 293-302."