The name phenakite, or the alternate spelling, phenacite, is from a Greek word meaning deceiver , an allusion to its deceptively similar look to quartz. Phenakite is one of the few silicate minerals that have a trigonal symmetry. This symmetry is far more common among carbonates than among silicates. Phenakite shares the same symmetry with the emerald green silicate dioptase and the fluorescent and closely related willemite . Fine crystals of phenakite can be perfectly clear and with good hardness, rarity and lack of good cleavage, although somewhat lacking in color and fire, make good choices for gemstones.
Color is usually colorless or white but can be tinted yellow, brown and pink.
Luster is vitreous. Transparency crystals are transparent to translucent. Twinning is common and forms penetration twins Cleavage in poor in three directions. Fracture is conchoidal. Streak is white.