Anthophyllite
Anthophyllite is named from Latin "anthophyllum" - a clove, alluding to its characteristic clove-brown colour.
Anthophyllite usually forms lamellar or fibrous aggregates. Individual well-formed crystals are very rare.
Anthophyllite usually forms lamellar or fibrous aggregates. Individual well-formed crystals are very rare.
| General Information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Chemical Formula |
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| Physical Properties of Anthophyllite | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mohs Hardness | 5.5 to 6, Handbook of mineralogy (2001) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Specific Gravity | 2.9 to 3.5, Handbook of mineralogy (2001) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tenacity | Brittle, Handbook of mineralogy (2001) Fibers are elastic | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cleavage Quality | Perfect,Distinct, Handbook of mineralogy (2001) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Optical Properties of Anthophyllite | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Refractive Index | 1.603 to 1.690, Handbook of mineralogy (2001) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Optical Character | Biaxial/+,-, Handbook of mineralogy (2001) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pleochroism | When Fe-rich, moderate: clove-brown, yellowish brown, grayish brown - clove-brown, brown-gray, brownish - clove-brown to dark brown, grayish blue to green, lilac., Handbook of mineralogy (2001) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Colour | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Colour (General) | Gray, brownish gray, yellowish brown, clove-brown, brownish green, emerald green; in thin section, colorless to pale green or yellow, Handbook of mineralogy (2001) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transparency | Transparent,Translucent, Handbook of mineralogy (2001) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lustre | Vitreous,Pearly, Handbook of mineralogy (2001) Vitreous, pearly on cleavage | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Crystallography of Anthophyllite | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Crystal System | Orthorhombic, Handbook of mineralogy (2001) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Habit | Crystals rare, to 25 cm; as bladed aggregates of unterminated prismatic crystals. Commonly lamellar or fibrous, asbestiform, Handbook of mineralogy (2001) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Geological Environment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Where found: | From medium- or high-grade metamorphism, in amphibolites, gneisses, metaquartzites, iron formations, granulites, and schists derived from argillaceous sediments, ultramafic, or mafic igneous rocks; a retrograde reaction product, Handbook of mineralogy (2001) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Further Information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mineral information: | Anthophyllite information at mindat.org | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||