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Kvanefjeld

Kvanefjeld Mountain (700m) is located at the NW corner of the Ilimaussaq Complex.  An old mining road crosses the 15km from Narsaq to the valley between Kvanefjeld and the Taseq Slopes.  This road gradually climbs 300 meters and then becomes impassable.  It is then a nice hike up to the 500 meter level via an old mine access road to an (abandoned) uranium mine.  From this point a “trail” leads to the summit of Kvanefjeld, “rock climbing” the last 200 meters.  The difficulty is average and not particularly difficult if you are in reasonable shape.  The vertical slope is gradual, and mainly consists of following a well-worn trail, while climbing over large pieces of sodalite and lujavrite.

Atop Kvanefjeld one is greeted with a wonderful view of the valley below, Narsaq in the distance, and the iceberg dotted fjords. It is easy to spend the entire day exploring the relatively flat areas at the top, and digging through the years of tailings that the locals have amassed while searching for gem red tugtupite. The main tugtupite mining area is located a short walk to the west and is littered with snow-white pieces of albite and analcime (many actually are white tugtupite).  Most pieces glow bright red under SW UV.  Occasionally one will meet a local miner pounding away at a white vein in an effort to pry loose some bright red “tutupit”.  In recent years gem tugtupite has become quite scarce.  Over the 2003 summer season very few pieces were found, bringing the cabochon industry to a virtual halt.

Kvanefjeld Minerals

Tugtupite – The tugtupite from the Kvanefjeld area is the most widely known fluorescent mineral from Ilimaussaq.  It is typically a bright gemmy red and is the source for the gem material used in making beautiful tugtupite cabochons.  A typical piece of gem tugtupite will be found in an analcime and lujavrite matrix, probably along with aegirine crystals.  The natural color ranges from a light pink to a deep cherry red. Under shortwave the red glow is unmistakable.  Commonly associated (fluorescent) minerals include chkalovite, beryllite, and sorensenite.

  Chkalovite – Chkalovite was one of the first of the beryllium minerals to form in the intrusion. Tugtupite is often found replacing chkalovite and the resulting specimens can be found throughout the complex. The ones from the Kvanefjeld area often glow a brilliant green.  Massive crystals of green fluorescent chkalovite have been enclosed in circles of brilliantly red fluorescent tugtupite – resulting in a spectacular fluorescent.  Chkalovite is usually associated with many of the rare minerals in the complex and is a good indicator of the presence of other minerals - such as ussingite, tugtupite, and sodalite.

  Sorensenite – A single locale mineral, only found within the Ilimaussaq Complex.  White to pale pink bladed crystals fluoresce a yellow/white under SW UV (medium intensity).  Large aggregates on a lujavrite/analcime matrix have been found in the Kvanefjeld area.  Most spectacular are the very rare specimens of tugtupite and sorensenite combined.

Sodalite – The sodalite from the Kvanefjeld area is (to date) unremarkable with only a couple of exceptions.  Typically it appears to be of a coarser texture (very few pieces of pure sodalite – usually mixed with aegirine and syenite).  The fluorescence is a duller orange than those found in other areas of the complex.  A blue sodalite was recently found which, while not impressive as a fluorescent specimen (similar to those from Mt St Hilaire in brightness), the tenebrescense is quite remarkable.