Specimens Tarbuttite is a somewhat rare phosphate mineral but is popular among collectors of rare minerals, especially rare phosphates. It forms good crystals and has a nice luster. Occasionally, the colors can be rather attractive although they are commonly known to be pale. It is usually associated with the colorful limonite , an iron oxide, and the combination can make for a nice cabinet specimen.
Color is colorless and pale white, red, green, yellow or brown.
Luster is vitreous. Transparency crystals are transparent to translucent. Crystal System is triclinic, bar 1 Crystal Habits include deeply striated prismatic crystals or crusts. Cleavage is perfect in one direction. Streak is white.