Phenakite is a very rare beryllium silicate which is often confused with other species, or overlooked. Indeed, its name is derived from the Greek for deceiver, because the first specimens from Russia during the early 1800s were mistaken for Quartz. Its crystals are usually colourless and glassy like Quartz, and with trigonal crystal symmetry it can form elongated pyramid terminated hexagonal prisms, but flattened rhombohedra with modified edges are also common. Importantly, it is much harder than Quartz and crystals rarely reach more than a couple of centimeters across. Gemmy crystals are highly sought after: not so much for gem cutting, but as rare mineral specimens. Aggregates, or groups of crystals are rarer still. This large miniature specimen, from arguably the world's premier source, at Rio Piracicaba in Minas Gerais state, Brazil, is world-class. It is an aggregate of pure Phenakite crystals, all gemmy, glassy and bright, and individually reaching up to 2 cm in length which is in itself phenomenal. The crystals show many different complex forms, with really well-defined faces. There are some microscopic chips to the edges of a couple of the crystals, but the scale of this crystal aggregate is truly remarkable. A museum quality Phenakite.
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