What is Phenakite?
Phenakite is a bright, hard beryllium silicate that can resemble quartz while offering stronger brilliance and collector rarity.
Mineralogy and crystal structure
Reference formula: Be2SiO4. Phenakite is trigonal and often forms sharp rhombohedral or prismatic crystals. Beryllium-bearing material should be kept away from dust-producing work. Phenakite is classified with silicates and has a trigonal crystal system. Typical hardness is 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale and specific gravity is approximately 2.9–3.0.
Colour, lustre and habit
Typical colours include colourless, white, yellow, pink. The usual rhombohedral, prismatic, granular habit and vitreous lustre help describe a specimen, but colour alone is not diagnostic.
Formation and notable localities
Phenakite forms in or is associated with beryllium-rich granitic pegmatites, mica schists and hydrothermal cavities. Important documented localities include Brazil, Russia, Madagascar, Norway, Myanmar and the United States.
Brilliance in a quartz look-alike
Phenakite attracts the gem market with clarity and fire while rewarding mineral collectors with a distinctive beryllium-silicate structure.
Collecting and care
Do not cut or grind without professional controls; protect faceted stones from impact despite their high hardness.
