Judging quality
Look for bright green with pronounced micaceous sparkle. Fuchsite is soft and flaky on its own; embedded in quartzite it is far more durable.
Mica
Fuchsite
Chromium-bearing muscovite mica in a glittering emerald green. Ruby in fuchsite pairs the sparkle with pink corundum crystals.
Care
Very soft. Do not scrub or soak.
History & lore
Named for the German mineralogist Johann Nepomuk von Fuchs, better known for inventing water glass.
Cultural history, recorded as tradition rather than as medical or scientific claim.
Common questions about Fuchsite
- What is Fuchsite?
- Chromium-bearing muscovite mica in a glittering emerald green. Ruby in fuchsite pairs the sparkle with pink corundum crystals.
- How hard is Fuchsite and what is it made of?
- Fuchsite is a Mica-family mineral with the composition K(Al,Cr)3Si3O10(OH)2. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system and rates 2-3 on the Mohs hardness scale. It occurs in emerald green, silver-green.
- Where does Fuchsite come from?
- Notable localities for Fuchsite include Brazil, India, Russia, Austria.
- How do you tell good Fuchsite from filler?
- Look for bright green with pronounced micaceous sparkle. Fuchsite is soft and flaky on its own; embedded in quartzite it is far more durable.
- How do you care for Fuchsite?
- Very soft. Do not scrub or soak.
See it in person
Photographs only go so far
Both rooms are open six days a week, and there is always someone happy to pull pieces out of the case so you can compare them under the light.