RUBY IN FUSCHITE
Specifications
Mineral Class: Silicate
Crystal System: Hexagonal
Hardness: 2 - 3
Luster: Pearly to Vitreous
Diaphaneity: Transparent to Translucent
Colors: Green, Red, Purple, Yellow
Birthstone: July (Ruby)
Symbolizes: Curiosity
Source: Brazil, India, and Pakistan
Ruby in Fuchsite naturally occurs in pale to medium green with dark red inclusions. Fuchsite is a green variety of muscovite mica. It differs from most other Muscovites by having a variable amount of trivalent chromium substituting for aluminum within the mineral. Chromium is the source of Fuchsite’s green color. Muscovite begins to take on a very light green color with the substitution of a small amount of chromium for aluminum. As the amount of chromium increases, the green color becomes stronger and ranges to a rich emerald green when abundant chromium is present.
Occasionally, Corundum crystals are found in Fuchsite. When these Corundum crystals are of a bright red color, the material is known as Ruby in Fuchsite. This material attracts a lot of attention at rock, mineral, gem, and lapidary shows because of the contrasting colors of the Fuchsite and Ruby, and because the corundum crystals often exhibit spectacular hexagonal shapes when cut in slabs, cabochons, spheres, and other objects.