Axinite with Quartz and Epidote

A stunning Alpine-type specimen of deep clove-brown Axinite crystals, intermingled and overlaying glassy Quartz crystals, from the mountainous region of Bourg d'Oisans in the Isère department of the Rhône-Alpes region of France. Bourg d'Oisans is the type locality of Axinite-(Fe). This specimen is most probably Axinite-(Fe), but this has not been confirmed, so is labelled simply ‘Axinite’. The largest Axinite crystal is over 4 cm wide, yet others are more typically 2 to 2.5 cm. They are deep clove brown and translucent with occasional gemmy zones. The Quartz crystals range from transparent ‘rock crystal’ to colourless with cloudy green-tinged milky interiors. Embedded in the surface of many Quartz crystals, and the occasional Axinite, are stubby acicular leaf-green crystals of Epidote, for which Bourg d'Oisans is also the type locality. A showy Axinite with Quartz and Epidote from Isère.