Guide
Phenakite specimens for sale
19 for sale · $80–$6,500 USD
147 in the gallery
Phenakite is a rare beryllium silicate mineral that forms colorless to pale yellow or pinkish crystals. It typically occurs as prismatic to tabular crystals with a vitreous to adamantine luster, and may show strong birefringence under magnification. The mineral commonly crystallizes in pegmatites and high-temperature hydrothermal veins, with notable localities including Myanmar and Madagascar that yield well-formed, gemmy crystals ideal for collectors.
- Formula
- Be2SiO4
- Rarity
- Rare
- Stability
- Stable
- Collector interest
- Very High Interest
- Classification notes
- Silicate; Nesosilicate (Orthosilicate); Be-Si-O
Key characteristics
- Crystal system
- trigonal
- Mohs hardness
- 7.5–8
- Specific gravity
- 2.96–3
- Luster
- vitreous, greasy
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent
- Color
- colorless, white, gray, yellow, brown, pink
- Streak
- white
- Cleavage
- distinct
- Fracture
- conchoidal
- Crystal habit
- rhombohedral, prismatic, tabular, granular, massive
- Gem mineral
- Classic / historic
Buy Phenakite specimens
View all 19Where Phenakite is found
Top localities
- Mt Antero26 specimens
- Rio Piracicaba8 specimens
- Mogok8 specimens
- Anjanabonoina pegmatites6 specimens
- Jos Plateau6 specimens
- Lake George2 specimens
- Palelni Mine2 specimens
- Myanmar1 specimen
- Ambatofinandrahana District1 specimen
- Anjanabononoia1 specimen
Guides
All guides
Guide
Phenakite from Mount Antero, USA
Mount Antero phenakite - rare, glassy to translucent crystals from Colorado's high-alpine pegmatites; prized for altitude and its collector appeal.Read guide
Guide
Phenakite from Mogok Township, Myanmar
Phenakite from Mogok, Myanmar: colorless, glassy crystals with sharp twinning and drill-bit terminations; provenance from Khetchel–Momeik pegmatites boosts col…Read guideAbout Phenakite
Collectors prize Phenakite for its rarity, brilliance, and the ease with which high-quality crystals can be split and faceted into gemstones. Fine specimens are sought for their clean faces and transparency, as well as their rarity outside of primary localities. In addition to Myanmar and Madagascar, other sources such as the USA, Nigeria, Brazil, and other pegmatites contribute to the species’ varied offerings, making high-quality chunks and smaller crystals accessible to dedicated collectors seeking a striking Be silicate with excellent luster and optical properties.
