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Virtually solid bright fluorescent sodalite, quite gemmy with incredibly deep purple tenebrescence. This is one of the more tenebrescent varieties from Greenland. Hackmanite from Greenland displays some of the most dramatic tenebrescence (color change) that we have seen from any place in the world.
Greenland sodalite comes in all colors. This piece is a very bright piece under both SW and LW. Under SW there is a blue fluorescence that is likely analcime. On the second side is some silver polylithionite and possibly even some minor tugtupite. The LW fluorescence is knock-your-socks-off bright.
Tenebrescence is a phenomenon that occurs when certain minerals, in this case hackmanite, are exposed to shortwave UV and these specimens darken to a deep purple in seconds. This deep purple hue will rapidly fade when exposed to a bright white light. This process can be repeated over and over.
They were nicknamed "Yooperlites" which is derived from the name “yooper”. A yooper is a nickname for the Upper Peninsula natives and these fluorescent stones quickly gained fame. After data was published on these fluorescent stones, it was discovered that sodalite is the actual true mineral that is fluorescing orange.
365nm UV light is often called "blacklight". Before the advent of longwave UV LEDs, blacklight fluorescent tubes, (the kinds used in hippie days to light up psychedelic posters) were the standard longwave UV light for our hobby. They were not very powerful but they did light a large area.
Enter 365nm UV LEDs
First, an animation showing the difference between the UV flashlight we recommend (365nm filtered UV flashlight) versus unfiltered 395nm UV flashlights we see many folks carrying around at shows. So. much. visible purple light. We selected a bunch of rocks as a demonstration. Took pictures of them under his flashlight without the filter and then with the filter.
