Ruby in Fuchsite

• Fuchsite is a green variety of muscovite mica. Chromium is the source of fuchsite’s green color.

• Occasionally, corundum crystals are found in fuchsite. When these crystals are of a bright red color, the material is known as ruby in fuchsite.

• Ruby in fuchsite is one of the most commonly misidentified gem materials. Often this stone is misidentified as ruby in zoisite. This identification problem can easily be solved if a person learns the three facts below and uses them for identification.

• 1) Fuchsite has a hardness of 2 to 3, while zoisite has a hardness of at least 6.

• 2) Rubies have blue kyanite alteration rims in fuchsite but no alteration rims in zoisite.

• This stone is probably one of my most popular stones I have ever worked on. For years I have gone through more than a 100 pounds per year looking for that special piece mixed in all the other parts I throw away.

• Because of the softness of the fuchsite and the hardness of the ruby, it can be a nightmare for cutting and polishing, but once finished the stone is indeed a gem of great quality and desirability.