Inorganic Gemstones

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Phenakite

Rough Phenakite

Phenakite is an uncommon mineral, found as white or colourless tabular crystals or stubby prisms. Twinning is typical and distinguishes it from rock crystal, with which it is confused (hence its name, based on the Greek word for cheat). Transparent crystals are faceted for that collector, and therefore are hard and bright.

Phenakite happens in pegmatites, granites and mica schists. The very best crystals are simply within the Urals (Russia), Brazil, and Colorado (USA). Other localities include Italy, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

A pebble weighing 1,470 carats was present in Sri Lanka, and faceted to some 569 carat oval and many smaller stones.


Properties
Chemical Composition: 

Beryllium silicate

Crystal System / Forms: 

Trigonal

Hardness: 
7.5
Specific Gravity: 

2.96

Lustre: 
Vitreous
Refractive Index / Birefringence: 

1.65-1.67 / 0.015

Magnification: 
  • Phenakite has silvery look when cut well.
Cuts & Uses: 

Brilliant, Mixed.

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In Germany, the garland of ambers is hung around the necks of the infants, so that their teeth might come out without much trouble.

In Turkey, people fix a piece of amber in the hubble-bubble, dogged by an age old belief that the presence of the jewel would destroy all the germs and no disease would spread, even after many have dragged their puffs from it.

In Greece, people think if wine is poured into the cups made of amethyst, one does not get drunk after drinking that.

In Rome, a talisman having coral pieces is considered very auspicious to quell the bad spells of evil look. The Romans were in the habit of hanging chains made of ancient coral pieces from the cradle of the infants to protect them from evil effects.

In China, people wear rings studded with tiny conch or oyster shells as they believe it cures all aches such as stomach ache, worms and like.

In India, pendants made of silver and studded with pearls are hung from the necks of the children to save them from any bad effects.

Greeks still believe, if women wear blue sapphires then no sense of immorality would pollute their mind nor can any fear of the supernatural can trouble them.

The Pope Innocent III had circulated an order asking all the priests wear blue sapphire, so that morality can be strengthened.

It is said about turquoise, that when the stone changes its color into yellow, it actually signals bad times to the person who wears it.

It is believed that a turquoise gifted to a friend or a lover turns his or her life into one of happiness and good luck.

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