Phenakite

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Physical & Optical Properties

Category Semi-Precious Gems

Mohs Hardness 7.5 – 8.0

Specific Gravity 2.9 – 2.98

Refractive Index 1.65 – 1.695

Crystal System Trigonal

Luster Vitreous

Fracture Conchoidal

Color various

Birefringence 0.016

Dispersion 0.015

Pleochroism Distinct: colorless - orangy-yellow

Mohs Hardness

Mohs Hardness: 7.5 – 8.0

1 Soft10 Hard

Crystal System

Value & Market

Price Tier Moderate ($50-500/ct)

Where to Buy Phenakite

Blue Nile Fine jewelry retailer

James Allen Gemstone jewelry

Brilliant Earth Ethically sourced gems

Amazon Wide selection

Links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Treatments

Colorless material has been reported to turn a yellow-brown color on irradiation (Pough and Rogers, 1947). One could expect this change to be reversed by heating - Nassau (1984) 7.5 to 8Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references 2.90 to 2.98Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references BrittleArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) GoodWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references ConchoidalWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) 1.650 to 1.695Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references Uniaxial/+Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references 0.016Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references Distinct: colorless - orangy-yellowHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) 0.015Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) Colourless, yellowish, pink, greenish blueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references TransparentUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references VitreousArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) Inert to weak greenish, blue, pinkHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references Specimens show a distinct blueMichael O?Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) TrigonalHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references Rhombohedral, tabular to prismatic crystalsMichael O?Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references Phenakite occurs in granite pegmatites.Michael O?Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references (Veils of) 2-phase inclusions, rutile needles - Blue Chart Gem Identification, Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, 2010, p 4 Phenakite information at mindat.org Austria  France  Myanmar  Russia  Sri Lanka  USA  Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 437

About Phenakite

Phenakite is a beryllium silicate mineral (Be₂SiO₄) forming colorless, pale yellow, pale pink, or pale blue rhombohedral crystals with a vitreous luster and exceptional hardness (Mohs 7.5–8), sometimes mistaken for quartz or topaz—its name deriving from the Greek for "deceiver." It occurs in pegmatites, mica schists, and emerald-bearing mica schists, with gem sources in Russia's Ural Mountains, Brazil, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania. Colorless phenakite has extraordinary brilliance due to its high refractive index, and fine faceted stones are cherished collector gems.