Axinite is a borosilicate mineral, containing calcium, manganese, iron, and magnesium in a boron-containing aluminosilicate lattice. It occurs most often in contact metamorphic rocks as well as mafic igneous rocks. The crystal system is triclinic and the crystals formed tabular and wedge shaped and reddish-brown to dark grey. Axinite is both pyroelectric and piezoelectric. Pyroelectricity is the ability of a material to generate an electrical potential when heated or cooled. Piezoelectricity is the ability to generate an electric potential in response to applied mechanical stress. This specimen is from the Piz Vallatscha in the Valsertal, Graubunden, Austria. Actual width is 130 mm.