Fuchsite

Fuchsite, also known as chrome mica, is a chromium (Cr) rich variety of the mineral muscovite, belonging to the mica group of phyllosilicate minerals.

Fuchsite crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system. Common colour of the mineral is pale green to emerald green depending on the amount of Cr substitution. The micaceous crystals are flexible and slightly sectile with a hardness of 2-2.5 on the Mohs scale. Fuchsite fluoresces lime green under long wave UV light. Fuchsite’s radioactivity due to its potassium (K) content is barely detectable.

Fuchsite named after the German chemist and mineralogist Johann Nepomuk von Fuchs.