Fluorrichterite forms well shaped crystals that can have a pearly luster. Its luster is higher than most members of the amphibole group possibly because of the unusual presence of fluorine which comes from the unusual magma chemistry. Mixed with fluorrichterite in the white recrystallized calcite of the skarn are well formed crystals of biotite making specimens extra special. Fluorrichterite is a brand new mineral, only receiving official recognition in 1996, although it has been collected for many years by many collectors. Its good to get this straightened out finally.
Color is dark green to blue green or less commonly brown, gray and black.
Luster is vitreous to pearly to dull. Crystals are generally translucent to opaque. The typical termination appears to be two faces of a slightly slanted dome but is actually two of the four faces of a prism. The termination faces are not only slanted toward each other but the two faces are slanted with respect to the long axis of the crystal as well. Some terminations are rather complex and can make the crystal appear pseudo-orthorhombic.