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    \$\begingroup\$ The 3 items you cite at the start of this answer all include text specifying that they can be used as foci because their usage as foci is non-standard. That is, they can all be used as foci in specific ways that nonmagical foci cannot. The Astral Shard can be used as a spellcasting focus while wearing it (normal foci must be held); the Orb of Shielding and Ruby Weave Gem can be used by any spellcasters, even those that can't normally use orbs/crystals as foci. Hence, these items are not evidence that a magic item must include such text to be used normally as a focus. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Oct 2, 2023 at 2:50
  • \$\begingroup\$ @RyanC.Thompson I completely disagree. The shard text says: "You can use the shard as a spellcasting focus while you hold or wear it", so it specifies that you can use it as an arcane focus even with the usual way of usage. The Ruby Weave Gem and the Orb of Shieldgin are specifying this usage even for spellcasters that can use orbs for as focus. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Oct 2, 2023 at 5:46
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    \$\begingroup\$ If it just said "You can use the shard as a spellcasting focus while you wear it", it would be confusing. Does that override the normal rule that one must hold a focus to use it, or does it add to it? Wording it as "hold or wear" removes the ambiguity, at the very minor cost of being slightly redundant with the normal spellcasting rules. Likewise for the other items: the special rules for using these items as foci overlap with the normal rules, which is redundant but unambiguous. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Oct 2, 2023 at 11:16
  • \$\begingroup\$ @RyanC.Thompson Again, I vibrantly disagree: the fact that has to specify it confirms that a magic item must list this property, it is not automatic. Indeed, the description of focuses says: "An arcane focus is a special item designed to channel the power of arcane spells." Magic items must be designed to be arcane focuses \$\endgroup\$ Commented Oct 2, 2023 at 11:25
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    \$\begingroup\$ Let us continue this discussion in chat. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Oct 2, 2023 at 15:33