Gemstones, Diamonds, Pearls - Multicolour.com
My Shopping Cart My Account Gem Library
|Welcome to Multicolour.com|Single Stones|Calibrated Stones|Pairs|Mix Lots|Closeouts|Carved Gems|lapidary and gemological tools and supplies|Gem Smart Search|
Home / Gem Library / Gemstones Varieties / Phenakite December 05, 2024

Natural Phenakite

Phenakite is among the hardest and brightest of the colorless gemstones. With hardness of 7 1/2 to 8 and no cleavage, phenakite is easy to work and hard enough to facilitate an excellent polish. Although its colors may range from white or pink to yellow or brown, phenakite is known predominantly as a transparent colorless gemstone. Many stones are perfectly colorless without even a trace of any modifying color.

Also spelled “Phenacite”, phenakite has in the past been confused with other white gemstones such as diamonds, sapphires, quartzes, topazes and beryls. Even its name comes from the Greek word meaning meaning deceiver ... a name ascribed because of its close similarity to quartz, especially rock crystal. Even today, unscrupulous sellers of rough or cut stones still try pass off abundant quartz specimens as the much more valuable phenakites.


  • There are 1 Phenakite gemstones available at Multicolour.com
  • Phenakite(s) are organized in the following categories: Single,  gemstones.

Phenakite Profile

Color information: White
Refractive Index: 1.651-1.696
Chemical Composition: Be2SiO4
Hardness: 7.5-8.0
Density: 2.94-2.96
Crystal Group: Hexagonal
Ocurrence: Russia, Colorado (USA); Kragero, Norway; Alsace province France; Mogok, Myanmar; Brazil, Switzerland, East Africa, Burma, Madagascar, Italy, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria
Sign of the Zodiac: N/A
Month of the year: N/A
Phenakite Phenakite Phenakite
Phenakite is a rare mineral, found as white or colorless tabular crystals or stubby prisms. Twinning is common and this is one of the properties that distinguishes it from rock crystal. The crystals are often rhombohedral and sometimes prismatic, showing wedge-shaped ends. Magnificent etching is apparent especially in specimens from Nigeria. Large clean stones are always sought by collectors but even smaller stones are in demand and relatively easy to sell.

Found in high-temperature pegmatite veins and in mica-schists associated with quartz, chrysoberyl, apatite and topaz, phenakite occurs as isolated crystals. Phenakite is a rare nesosilicate mineral consisting of beryllium orthosilicate, Be2SiO4. There is no cleavage, and its fracture is conchoidal. The specific gravity is 2.96. With a Mohs hardness of 7.5 – 8, phenakite is a relatively tough and durable gemstone.

Phenakite was first found in the early 19th century in the emerald mines of the Sverdlovskaya region in the eastern foothills of the Ural Mountains in Southern Russia. Later it was also found in other parts of the Urals. Today, it as been found on nearly every continent, but never in significant quantities.

Well defined crystals of Phenakite have also found in the Pikes Peak region of Colorado (USA). Other occurrences include; Kragero, Norway; Alsace province France; Mogok, Myanmar; Brazil, Switzerland, East Africa, Burma, Madagascar, Italy, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria.

The most important recent discoveries have been in Madagascar and Nigeria. In Madagascar, the material was mined at the turn of the millennium from a single remote locality in Abalavato. A few years later, that deposit was covered by a landslide and since then, no substantial occurrences of Madagascar phenakites have been reported.

In Nigeria phenakite was discovered in the year 2008 by Tunde Jimba (Min.), the lead miner for Salistone Ventures. The stone was found at a depth of 45 feet and some large, clean, and impressive crystals were recovered. The Salistone Mine is located on the Jos Plateau, in Plateau State of Nigeria. The name "OKUTA-DIDAN" in Native Yoruba language, meaning "A shinning stone", was given to this gemstone and is often referenced as the mine name which it is not. This local name was given to phenakite because of its high transparency and reflectivity dissimilar to any other stones in the region. Production continues at a limited level and there is never much material on the market.

Phenakite is always sought for its metaphysical properties and has always been near the top of every empowering gemstone list. It is said to possess a host of remedial values. It is said to offer protective energy and to enhances one’s sense of the self. Phenakite supposedly gets rid of negative emotions. Despair, denial, a desire for revenge, or a death wish are said to be alleviated with phenakite. With this gemstone, our problems allegedly become our teachers enabling a path to the future.

Looking for other Gemstones?

Search Gems by Color | Advance Search | Step-by-Step Search Wizard

Search/
Search for:
Search Site Gems
Enter keywords or item #. (i.e ruby or YDFG97a).
Shopping Cart: Empty

Gem Library/
Gems Legend and  Lore Gems Legend and Lore
Some of the latest of ways that gems have been associated with Birthstones and Signs of the Zodiac.
Understanding Gemstones Understanding Gemstones
Learn about Physical and Optical properties, color, clarity and cut of gemstones.
Gems Glossary Gems Glossary
Ever wonder what are "Blemish", "Luster", "Saturation" "Uniformity" or "Mine Run" means?
Reference and  Links Reference and Links
Recommended books and links to Gem, Jewelry&Mineral Magazines, Gem Institutes and Labs.

 Top of Page Need help?  

Gemstones for sale: Alexandrite, Garnet, Diamond, Opal, Spinel, Sapphire, Tourmaline, Tanzanite, Tsavorite,
Gemstones by Category: Calibrated, Carving, Closeout, Jewelry, Mixed Lot, Pair, Rough, Single, Best Sellers or Featured Gemstones.
Gemstone education: Colored Gemstones Guide, Gems Library, Gemstone Treatments, Gemstone Glossary, Gems and Astrology,

All Transactions secure by Thawte certificate - click here to validate Ebay Power Seller Gem Certification Various Shipping Options Major Credit Cards Accepted

All trademarks and logos shown herein are the property of their respective owners. © Copyright Multicolour.com, 1998-2011. All rights reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of Multicolour.com Return Policy, Privacy Policy and Trading Guarantee. Published and operated by David Wein Ltd. 32 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong Island Hong Kong. Lost? Check site map or resources page.

Site design and maintenance by NetComposite ®.