Hypersthene has an ornamental variety. It is sometimes used as an ornamental stone. Both enstatite and hypersthene contribute to the bronzite variety. Some hypersthene is seen on the gemstone markets but is not well known. It is in allusion to its greater hardness than the amphibole mineral hornblende , a mineral with which it is often confused.
Color is gray, brown or green.
Luster is vitreous to pearly. Crystals are generally translucent and rarely transparent. Crystal Habits include rare individual crystals that have a stubby prismatic habit. More typically massive or in coarse lamellar or fibrous aggregates. Cleavage is perfect in two directions at nearly 90 degrees.