Detailed information
Species
Axinite
Dimensions
109 x 77 x 38
mm
Locality
Obira Mine Bungo-Ohno City, Oita Prefecture Kyushu Region, Japan
Condition
No recorded repairs
Axinite is not a common mineral in Japan, but the Obira mine by Bungo-Ono City in Kyushu Region certainly makes up for this in the amazing quality and aesthetics of the specimens it produces. This specimen is composed entirely of Axinite, the display face being a dense array of leaning clusters of spiky crystals measuring to 4.5 cm in length. The specimen as a whole has a silvery-chocolate-brown appearance, the former colour due to the incredibly high glassy lustre of the crystals. On close inspection the crystals are translucent and colourless, tinged delicate shades of clove-brown. Most of the crystal terminations are undamaged, making for an most unusual and beautiful specimen. Four old and very different labels come with this specimen, written in Italian and French.