Phenakite is a rare beryllium silicate mineral produced in pegmatite and greisen. The English name was taken from the Greek word “cheat” in 1833.
It was once misunderstood because of its resemblance to crystal, and then it was called “like crystal.”
It belongs to the Trilateral crystal system, the crystal is usually rhombohedral, short columnar, and tabular, and there are generally double crystals interspersed, presenting the illusion of hexagonal crystal.
It is Transparent to translucent, with glass luster. The color is mainly colorless or wine-yellow, but also light pink, light blue-green and brown. Transparent Phenakite crystals are often cut and ground into faceted gemstones that their flash is almost close to diamonds, but there is no diamond-like fire color, which can be used for inlaying jewelry.
However, there are few places to produce gem-grade Phenakite. Large colorless crystals are produced in Brazil, and pink crystals are produced in Russia.
A piece of 1470-carat giant yellow stone was found in Sri Lanka, which was cut and ground into 569-carat oval faceted gemstones, and is now in the Smithsonian National Museum in Washington, USA.
Basic property of Phenakite
- Chemical composition: Be2 [SiO4]
- Crystal system: trigonal crystal system
- Crystallization habit: rhombohedral, short columnar
- Transparency: transparent to slightly transparent
- Gloss: glass luster
- Refractive index: 1.654~1.670
- Birefringence: 0.016
- Optical characteristics: uniaxial crystal, positive optical
- Dispersion: 0.015
- Polychromism: weak to medium
- Cleavage: a group of medium cleavages, a group of incomplete cleavages
- Relative density: 2.95
- Mohs hardness: 7~8
- Color: colorless, yellow, light red, blue-green, brown
- Main origin: Russia, Brazil, Namibia, Mexico, the United States
Physical characteristics of Phenakite
It is glass glossy and transparent. The color is usually colorless or light yellow, but also light brown, pink, and rarely blue-green.
The uniaxial crystal is positive, with a refractive index of 1.654 ～ 1.670 (+0.026, – 0.004), the birefringence of 0.016, and the dispersion of 0.015.
Polychromism varies with color. Under ultraviolet light, it is sentimental to long wave light and short wave light.
Some can also emit light pink, light-blue and green fluorescence, without characteristic absorption spectrum.
There is a group of {1120} medium cleavages and a group of {1011} incomplete cleavages. It usually has a shell-like fracture, with a Mohs hardness of 7-8 and a density of 2.95 (± 0.05) g/cm. It is brittle.
Occurrence and origin
Phenakite is produced in pegmatite and is associated with other wrinkle minerals in the cavities of quartzite and granite and mica schist.
It was first found in the Ural Mountains of Russia, accompanied by emeralds and chrysoberyls, and later found in Switzerland and Brazil.
Gem-grade Phenakite is also produced in Tanzania and Namibia, Maine, Colorado and New Hampshire in the United States, Brazil, Norway, France, the Czech Republic and Mexico.
How to Identify Phenakite
Phenakite is similar to quartz and topaz. Phenakite has a higher refractive index and density than quartz. Topaz has a higher density than that of quartz.
It can be identified according to the optical characteristics- topaz is positive in biaxial crystal, and Phenakite is uniaxial crystal, which can contain various inclusions of mica and metal minerals.
Phenakite is a typical inclusion of emerald synthesized by melting and hydrothermal methods.
Most Phenakite is colorless and transparent. As long as careful testing, Phenakite is easy to identify.
The refractive index of sillimanite measured by the refractometer is 1.65 to 1.67, the birefringence is larger than 0.016, and the optical property is uniaxial positive.
The relative density is 2.95, which is sinking in 2.89 heavy liquid and floating in 3.05 heavy liquid.
The black cross interferogram can be displayed under the cone light in the direction of the optical axis under the orthogonal polarizer.
Due to the large birefringence index, the double image of facet edge is obvious when magnified.
Phenakite Healing Property
Phenakite is a distinctive healing stone closely related to its mineral composition.
First, it is one of the crystals with the highest vibration frequency found by humans so far, and it is only suitable for those who want to raise their personal vibration frequency to a higher level.
It is said that it can connect the kingdom of angels and gods, so that information from that space can be transmitted to the earth.
Crystal therapy believes that Phenakite corresponds to the etheric body, which can purify and integrate spiritual vibration, activate the light body, and promote the spiritual sublimation process of people;
Not only that, it can heal people’s souls, purify spirits and life bodies, and provide a channel for energy transmission.
For example, Phenakite produced in Brazil is called “crystal guardian.”
According to some theories, Phenakite is closely related to the chakras and can transmit information about treatment and activation of the chakras.
It can also promote the development of the eyebrow center wheel and the higher top wheel and improve internal understanding.
According to a certain statement, Phenakite can purify spirituality, remove obstacles in the energy channel, identify and eliminate all disease Qi, and promote the body’s recovery.
It also has the function of improving the efficacy of other crystals. The best effect is when it is placed on the top wheel. Of course, the effect is also good when it is placed in other appropriate places.
Other colors
According to the theory of crystal theory, apart from the standard functions, Different color of Phenakite also has other healing properties:
Colorless Phenakite: crystal therapy believes that it can help to shuttle through time and space, reach a state of vibration spirituality that cannot enter people under normal circumstances, and strengthen the original memory of earlier spirituality.
Its positive energy can make you increase the vibration frequency, purify your mind, and release only positive energy.
Yellow Phenakite: It is said that this kind of manifesting gem has the extraordinary ability to contact with outer space and can help you achieve the goal of perfection.
Conclusion:
Phenakite comes from the Greek word “liar” because its crystal is often confused with quartz.
Phenakite, also known as “Phenacite,” gem grade stone is very rare, but a few are used as decorative jewelry.