This is another one of those mis-identifications that passes down from seller to vendor to buyer. As
you can see, the chemical formula, system, hardness and group identifier of these two, Bronzite and Axinite, are not the same at all. It takes just one person to misidentify to get the ball rolling down the hill.
Bronzite
Bronzite is a ferroan variety of Enstatite
Formula: (Mg,Fe 2+) 2[SiO 3] 2
System: Orthorhombic
Hardness: 5-6
Member of: Orthopyroxene Subgroup, Pyroxene Group
Name: From the Greek enstates “opponent” for refractory nature under blowpipe flame
I was THRILLED to see a vendor was carrying tumbled Axinite on their list of tumbles, as it was, at the time, very difficult to get. And expensive!!!! Imagine my disappointment when I received the tumbled “Axinite” and it was actually Bronzite. I did call immediately to let them know of the error and they laughed at me, yes, laughed. Obviously, I never used that company again. I am sharing this mistake so you will not have to make it as well.
Axinite
Formula: Ca 2Fe 2+Al 2BSi 4O 15 OH
System: Triclinic
Hardness: 6½ – 7
Member of: Axinite Group
Name: From the Greek (“axina”) for “axe”, in allusion to the common habit of its crystals (unique flattened spatula shaped crystals) and iron dominance in the formula.
Check out another crystal misidentification Ruby in Zoisite vs Ruby in Fuchsite