Fuchsite is a chromium-rich variety of muscovite mica distinguished by its striking, sparkling emerald-green color. Collectors typically find it as masses of micaceous, scaly aggregates often found in metamorphic schist environments.
Is this fuschite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch fuschite with a known reference. Fuschite sits at Mohs 2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Fuschite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Fuschite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: emerald green, bright green, apple green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: scaly aggregates, massive.
Often confused with
Fuschite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside fuschite
Minerals reported to co-occur with fuschite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K(Al,Cr)₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 2.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Scaly Aggregates, Massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Decorative, Lapidary
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Rocks, Schist
- Typical price
- $5-30 for small specimens, $50+ for large decorative carvings
Where rockhounds find fuschite
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Brazil
- Zimbabwe
- Austria
- Russia
- India
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic rocks, schist country — that is the host setting where fuschite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, kyanite, talc in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a scaly aggregates, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Vermont — start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify fuschite?+
Where is fuschite found?+
Can I find fuschite in the United States?+
How much is fuschite worth?+
What rocks look like fuschite?+
What minerals are found with fuschite?+
What kind of rock does fuschite form in?+
What is fuschite used for?+
Find fuschite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
