Phenakite

Phenakite or phenacite is a fairly rare nesosilicate mineral consisting of beryllium orthosilicate

A fairly rare nesosilicate mineral consisting of beryllium orthosilicate.

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Phenakite or phenacite

Occasionally used as a gemstone, phenakite occurs as isolated crystals, which are rhombohedral with parallel faced hemihedrism, and are either lenticular or prismatic in habit: the lenticular habit is determined by the development of faces of several obtuse rhombohedra and the absence of prism faces.

There is no cleavage, and the fracture is conchoidal. The Mohs hardness is high, being 7.5 to 8, the specific gravity is 2.96.

The crystals are sometimes perfectly colorless and transparent, but more often they are greyish or yellowish and only translucent, occasionally they are pale rose red. In general appearance the mineral is not unlike quartz, for which indeed it has been mistaken.

The stone is a rare beryllium mineral that is not often used as a gemstone. Transparent crystals are sometimes faceted, however for the collectors only. The name comes from the Greek word phenakos, meaning to deceive or cheat. The stone was given this name because of its striking similarity to quartz.

Phenakite gemstone sources

The gem is found in high temperature pegmatite veins and in mica schists associated with quartz, chrysoberyl, apatite and topaz. It has long been known from the emerald and chrysoberyl mine on the Takovaya stream, near Yekaterinburg in the Urals of Russia, where large crystals occur in mica schist.

It is also found with topaz and amazon stone in the granite of southern Urals and Colorado, USA. Small, gem grade individual crystals showing a prismatic habit are noted in beryl dissolution cavities in South Africa.

Large crystals of prismatic habit have been found in a feldspar quarry in Norway. Alsace, France is another well-known locality. Still larger crystals, measuring 12 inches / 300 mm in diameter and weighing 28 lb / 13 kg.

For gem purposes the stone is cut in the brilliant form, of which there are two fine examples, weighing 34 and 43 carats, in the British Museum. The indices of refraction are higher than those of quartz, beryl or topaz, a faceted phenakite is consequently rather brilliant and may sometimes be mistaken for diamond.

phenacite crystal meaning and healing metaphysical properties benefits

The following section is pseudo scientific and based on cultural beliefs.

Phenakite is excellent to use for nerve damage, brain imbalances, brain damage and genetic disorders that limit brain function. It can help stimulate stimulate and enhance various aspects of brain function. Phenakite eases the pain and nausea that is due to migraine and headaches.

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FAQ

What is phenakite crystal used for?

The energy of Phenakite is also highly stimulating when you use it at the third eye chakra. Used alone it creates a powerful rush throughout the frontal area of the brain.

Is phenakite rare?

It is a very rare silicate gemstone. While it can be colored a pale blue or yellow / sherry color when it comes out of the ground, the color almost always disappears when its exposed to light. Phenakite is harder than quartz and at 7.5 – 8 on the Mohs scale–nearly as hard as topaz.

What chakra is phenacite for?

The crystal is known as a powerful, intense, and high vibration stone. It is known for its spiritual energy that can activate the third eye and the crown chakras, helping you access your visionary intuition and achieve a higher awareness of the spiritual realms.

Is quartz a phenacite?

No. It isn’t. The stone is a rare beryllium silicate mineral first reported in 1834 by N. Phenacite got its name from the Greek word meaning “deceiver”, due to its identification errors between the two stones. The color ranges include white, yellow, brown, and colorless.