Phenakite

$3,250.00

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T

The ArkenstoneFeatured

3,403 for sale·Member since 2026

A superb and well known gem clear crystal of the treasured gem species phenakite, from the most famous place on earth for gem quality specimens....Burma! This came out with Bill Larson circa 2007 and was in his own Burma collection, before being sold to thumbnail collector Ralph Clark. From Ralph, it went to Alex Schauss upon the sale of the Clark collection - so it has been in two of the largest and longest-built modern era competitive TN collections (three, if you include a few years with Bill). This particular location yielded crystals that were, mostly, twinned as you see here in the "drillbit" habit, in technical terms a twin caused by rotation about the {0001} axis. The crystal is gorgeous and bright in a way that photos cannot well convey. Looked at, on an edge in just the right light, you can see tiny surface details and patterns - that do not interfere when looking from the front, but it is interesting subtle detail nonetheless. Ralph's label notes that he sees a slight color to this, but to my eyes it is really clear. Recently featured in the book, Refined Elegance (Mineralogical Record, Nov. 2022) on page 118.