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Fuchsite

Mica

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV
Published: June 2014
Modified: November 2021
Fuchsite Polished Fuchsite Rough
Table of Contents
  • General Information
  • Fuchsite Colors
  • Alternate Names
  • Countries of Origin
  • History
  • Care
  • More About Fuchsite
  • Species/Variety

This sparkling green mica is a variety of muscovite colored by chromium, the same element that colors emerald and ruby. In fact, the most popular variety is called ruby fuchsite due to the ruby inclusions embedded in the fuchsite crystals.

General Information

  • Classification
  • Optical Properties
  • Characteristic Physical Properties
  • Chemistry & Crystallography
Common Name
Fuchsite
Species
Mica
Transparency
Transparent - Translucent
Dispersion
Strength: Weak Fire
Refractive Index
1.552-1.615
Birefringence
0.036
Optic Character
Biaxial
Optic Sign
Negative
Polariscope Reaction
Aggregate (AGG), Doubly Refractive (DR)
Pleochroism
None
Hardness
2-3
Streak
Light Green, White
Specific Gravity
2.800-2.900
Toughness
Poor
Luster
Vitreous, Pearly, Silky
Fracture
Micaceous (Flaky)
Cleavage
Perfect, in one direction
Chemical Formula
K(Al,Cr)2[(OH,F)2/AlSi3O10]
Crystal System
Monoclinic
Chemistry Classification
Silicate

Fuchsite Colors

  • Green Fuchsite
    Green

Alternate Names

Muscovite, Chrome-Mica,Chromian Muscovite

Countries of Origin

Myanmar; Papua New Guinea; Sudan; Kazakhstan; Paraguay; Oman; Armenia; Greece; Austria; Unknown; Mali; Brazil; Nepal; Colombia; Argentina; Iran (Islamic Republic of); Japan; Ukraine; Ghana; Bolivia (Plurinational State of); India; New Zealand; Canada; Turkey; Belgium; Senegal; Finland; Italy; South Africa; Peru; Ethiopia; Germany; Tanzania, United Republic Of; Russian Federation; Czechia; United States of America; Egypt; Madagascar; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Sweden; Pakistan; China; Ireland; Slovakia; Bulgaria; France; Kyrgyzstan; Switzerland; Spain; Mauritania; Norway; Mexico; Zimbabwe; Australia; Greenland; Tajikistan

History

Chromium works its mineral-magic to make fuchsite appealingly green. The presence of chromium in gemstones (think ruby and emerald) is most often indicative of exciting color. Fuchsite is an excellent example of the effects of chromium. This sparkling green mica is a variety of muscovite. Micas are often added to makeup - they are the additive most responsible for the "youthful glow" that is so pleasing in foundations and eye shadows.

Care

Fuchsite has a low mohs harness so care must be taken not to scratch the stone.

More About Fuchsite

Some people believe that this stone "connects" one to the angelic... to the realm of faeries. Others believe that fuchsite can improve your general fortune. There is no scientific evidence that any of these are true.

Species/Variety

Verdite

Verdite is an opaque stone made up mostly of fuchsite that is used for ornamental objects. It is known to come from South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Verdite Fuchsite
Verdite Fuchsite
  • Classification
  • Characteristic Physical properties
Common Name
Verdite
Specific Gravity
2.80
Toughness
Poor
Inclusions
It has a mottled structure and might display red or spots
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