Phenakite
Be2SiO4
These samples of phenakite are displayed in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Phenakite is a silicate mineral of beryllium with the composition Be2SiO4. The sample above right is about 18 cm across and is from Kragero, Telemark, Norway. The sample above left is 4-5 cm across and is from Mt. Antero, Chaffee County, Colorado. They are shown at the same scale.
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This sample of phenakite is about 8 cm tall and is from Anjanabonoina, Madagascar. | This phenakite gem is 17.8 carats. |
 | This extraordinarily large phenakite crystal is about 6x7 cm and is from Sao Miguel de Piracicaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil. "Phenakite often forms well-developed crystals - but rarely of this size and clarity. The name comes from the Greek word phenakos, meaning 'deceiver' - a reference to the fact that phenakite was once mistaken for quartz. |
Mindat: Phenakite
| Minerals |
| HyperPhysics*****Geophysics | R Nave |