metamorphic
Fuchsite or Green Mica Schist
Muscovite variant (KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 with Cr)
Hardness: 2-3 (Mohs), Color: Emerald green to silvery-green, Luster: Pearly to vitreous, Crystal structure: Monoclinic (platy/flaky), cleavage: perfect basal.
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Physical properties
Hardness: 2-3 (Mohs), Color: Emerald green to silvery-green, Luster: Pearly to vitreous, Crystal structure: Monoclinic (platy/flaky), cleavage: perfect basal.
Formation & geological history
Formed through regional metamorphism of clay-rich sedimentary rocks or hydrothermally altered ultramafic rocks. The green color comes from chromium replacing aluminum in the crystal lattice.
Uses & applications
Used as an ornamental stone, a source of industrial mica for insulation, and in the metaphysical/gemstone market for carvings and cabochons.
Geological facts
Fuchsite is named after the German chemist and mineralogist Johann Nepomuk von Fuchs. It is a chromium-rich variety of muscovite.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its distinct green sparkle and the fact that it can be scratched with a fingernail or penny. Often found in schist belts and metamorphic terrains globally.
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