Mineralpedia Details for Anthophyllite
Anthophyllite
- Formula
- [box]Mg7Si8O22(OH)2
- Crystal System
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal Habit
- Fibrous, Lamellar, Massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect, Distinct, Distinct
- Luster
- Vitreous - Pearly
- Color
- white, greenish gray, green, clove brown, brownish green
- Streak
- gray
- Class
- Orthorhombic - Dipyramidal
- Fracture
- Conchoidal
- Hardness
- 5-6
- WebMineral
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- Mindat
- View Anthophyllite
Anthophyllite from Søndeled, Risør, Aust-Agder, Norway
A tightly compacted of bladed micaceous-like crystals to 2cm.
Anthophyllite is not a Mica, nor a phyllosilicate. Anthophyllite is a inosilicate - 2D infinite chains of silicate tetrahedra, which, morphologically resemble a phyllosilicate network. Anthophyllite occurs as bladed aggregates, much like this specimen, and on a smaller scale shows lamellar with elastic fibers and easy to mistake for a mica mineral. Bladed aggregates have perfect cleavages and are commonly lamellar with elastic fibers which resemble mica cleavages.
Typically found in medium to high grade metamorphic amphibolites and gneisses. Associated with talc, chlorite, and micas. (Handbook of Mineralogy).
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Anthophyllite from Richmond Soapstone quarry, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire, United States
Light greyish green Anthophyllite with dark green Magnesio-hornblende.
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