Description
Phenakite has a hardness of 7½ – 8 and a specific gravity of 2.96 – 3, while Quartz its the model mineral for a hardness of 7 and it has a specific gravity of 4.17.
Phenakite was named in 1833 by Nils Gustaf Nordenskiöld, a Finnish/Russian mineralogist, from the Greek for “deceiver”, φέναξ, in allusion to its being mistaken for quartz. There’s been around 356 known localities found around the globe for this mineral since, with around 20 in Colorado.
You can find Smoky Quartz in at least 90 known and recorded localities on Mindat within Colorado alone, and a couple thousand localities worldwide. Quartz is one of (if not) the most common minerals found worldwide, but its crystals of this quality are a bit more rare, so be sure keep an eye out for some sweet Smoky Quartz like this on your next hike!
While Smoky Quartz would make for a cool Silicon sample and the phenakite would make for a great representation of Beryllium for element collectors, it would also make for a cool crystal for gem collectors and a perfect rock for Colorado rock collectors, so you’d better be quick if you’re looking to bring this one home regardless as to why!
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