Name PHENAKITE
Variety PHENAKITE
Origin Pica Pau (Minas Gerais) Brazil
Hardness 7,5 - 8
Composition Be2SiO4
Crystaline sys. TRIGONAL
Size   3,5x2,5x2,5 cm
Weight 37 gr




Description:
The name means "cheater" as it is easily mistaken for other minerals, specially quartz. It typically appears in the pegmatite veins, together with other gems such as turmaline, topaz, and especially emerald (it often is an inclusion of emerald). Due to its diamond-like luster and high hardness, it was used in Russia as a precious stone until 1920. It is quite a rare gem which has not attained an important place among precious stones because it is colourless. The only important colourless gem in jewelry making is the diamond.


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PHENAKITE



VARIETY PHENAKITE