Although individual well formed crystals of anthophyllite are very rare, some aggregate specimens of anthophyllite are striking and can make nice collection pieces. One variety found at Butte, Montana even displays a nice blue schiller effect. Luster is vitreous to dull or silky in fibrous forms. Crystals are translucent to opaque. Crystal Habits include prismatic often aggregated crystals and fibrous, asbestos-like masses.
Fracture is easy and splintery.
Hardness is 5.5 - 6. Streak is gray. Weakly pleochroic and a blue schiller effect is seen in some specimens from Butte, Montana. Associated Minerals are talc , cordierite and phlogopite . Best Field Indicators are crystal habit, fracture, cleavage, color, streak and hardness.