Russian Phenakite with an Ice-Like Surface

This rough phenakite has an irregular form, with colorless to white areas, touches of pale yellow, and grayish areas along the upper edge and one side. Translucent sections and bright reflections across its small surface planes give it a varied appearance.

To Joun, the surface recalls a piece of ice broken into fine facets. Soft light from the side is his suggested way to view it, bringing attention to the uneven upper edge and the reflections scattered across the surface. A desk or a quiet place in the room offers a setting for closer observation.

From the Izumrudnye Kopi area in Malyshevo, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia, this specimen was acquired some time ago from a gemologist seller in Canada. Joun notes that phenakite has become somewhat harder for him to source recently.

Phenakite is a beryllium silicate, distinct from quartz despite their sometimes similar appearance. Its name derives from the Greek word for “deceiver,” a reference to that resemblance.