Axinite Cluster from Shigar Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Axinite Cluster is fascinating and rather exotic mineral characterized by high birefringence and brilliance, developing a vitreous lustre and color varying from honey-brown to violet-brown. It actually belongs to silicates and can grow as intergrown in intricate, triangular crystals with strong pleochroism that is the ability to display different hues from different directions.
Color and Clarity:
This specific axinite clustering demonstrates excellent crystallization, and the natural colour is varied from violets deep hues of brown to astonishing faint violets. It also pertains to the quality of material used where much of the crystal is clear to reveal a very bright natural luster that in turn improves the decorative value of most of them.
Crystal Structure:
The crystals forming the axinite cluster in this picture are well-terminated, and they can easily be seen to be wedge-shaped. The nicely outlined corners as well as interoperated crystals make this specimen a perfect work of the natural world.
