Question: I see that, for example:

> 
> A cleric or paladin can use a holy symbol as a spellcasting focus, as described in chapter 10. To use the symbol in this way, the caster must hold it in hand, **wear it visibly,** or bear it on a shield.
> 
> 
> 

Further, I see that the standard arcane focuses -- orbs, crystals, rods, etc. -- all have to be held in the hand. That makes sense to me.

What I'm *not* sure about is, for example, the *Hat of Wizardry* or the *Dark Shard Amulet* from XGTE. Both specify they can be used as a spellcasting focus (for wizards and warlocks respectively), but it does not make sense to me that e.g. a wizard would be required to hold their *Hat of Wizardry* in their hand to use it as a spellcasting focus, instead of wearing it. I can imagine a warlock having to grip their *Dark Shard Amulet* with a free hand, but that still seems like a bit of a stretch, especially when combined with somatic components.

Can these specific foci be used without holding them in hand?

Answer: 
The *[Hat of Wizardry](https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/hat-of-wizardry)* says:

> 
> This antiquated, cone-shaped hat is adorned with gold crescent moons and stars. While you are wearing it, you gain the following benefits:
> 
> 
> * You can use the hat as a spellcasting focus for your wizard spells.
> * You can try to cast a cantrip that you don’t know. [...]
> 
> 
> 

The text seems pretty clear to me - while you're wearing it, you can use it as a focus. Holy symbols for clerics and paladins work the same way (they only need to be worn, not held), so it is not unprecedented. It has a specific verbiage that overrides the general rules.

Furthermore, it seems relatively well balanced: It consumes a precious attunement slot and only works for wizard spells. If the character is multi-classed, they'll still need a different focus, even for classes that can use a more general arcane focus. Sure, it has a second property, but it's only once per long rest.

The [Dark Shard Amulet](https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/dark-shard-amulet) has functionally similar text, except aimed at warlocks.
They don't need to be held in the hand to be used as a focus.

The magical items Hat of Wizardry and Dark Shard Amulet are templated differently than the nonmagical Holy Symbol because of the additional ability they have. Instead of a single statement, they use a bulleted list. The list could be expanded into statements to match the templating on Holy Symbol:

> 
> A wizard can use a Hat of Wizardry as a spellcasting focus for wizard spells. To use the hat in this way, the caster must wear it visibly.
> 
> 
> While you are wearing the hat you can try to cast a cantrip that you
> don't know. The cantrip must be on the Wizard spell list, and you must
> make a DC 10 Intelligence (Arcana) check. If the check succeeds, you
> cast the spell. If the check fails, so does the spell, and the action
> used to cast the spell is wasted. In either case, you can't use this
> property again until you finish a long rest.
> 
> 
> 

And we could change the Holy Symbol templating to be worded with the (single item) bulleted list of effects:

> 
> A holy symbol is a representation of a god or pantheon. While holding the symbol, wearing it visibly or wielding a shield with the symbol emblazoned upon it you gain the following benefits:
> 
> 
> * You may use the symbol as a spellcasting focus for your cleric or paladin spells.
> 
> 
> 

These are both awkward - the first combines multiple abilities into blocks of text and references the wearing condition twice, the second has a list with only one item in it. These are simply two ways of saying the same thing, written differently based on the other circumstances of the item.