They differ slightly in color and specific gravity and most collectors refer to any of them as simply axinite, that is why they are treated as a single mineral here. Color is commonly a lilac brown but also yellow, yellow-orange, gray, pale blue and even black. Luster is vitreous. Transparency crystals are transparent to translucent. Also as granular and as parallel bladed aggregates.
Cleavage is good in one direction.
Fracture is conchoidal. Streak is white. Associated Minerals are diopside , andradite , quartz , calcite , epidote , scheelite and prehnite . Best Field Indicators are crystal habit, hardness, color and striations.