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Under shortwave UV light, the specimens showcase a bright red fluorescence, with several pieces also displaying patches of green fluorescening chkalovite and uranyl green for added contrast. Pieces C, E, and H likely show small areas of rare tugtupite crystals. Pieces in box A, C, E, H, I are from the Taseq area, consistent with Taseq tugtupite. The remainder pieces are all Kvanefjeld tugtupite.
Tugtupite is a rare fluorescent mineral found in only a handful of locations worldwide, with Greenland producing its prized gem-quality material. Celebrated for its brilliant red fluorescence under shortwave UV, it can also deepen from pale pink to rich red in sunlight, a natural color-changing property called tenebrescence.
According to Greenlandic folklore, Tutu, the “reindeer girl,” went into the mountains to give birth. Her life-giving blood seeped into the rocks, creating tugtupite and linking the stone with life and fertility.
MinerShop added its own romantic chapter in the early 2000s: lovers could supposedly turn tugtupite fiery red through the heat of their romance, its color revealing the intensity of their love. This playful addition spread widely across metaphysical websites and into print. Although often repeated as ancient lore, the romance story was MinerShop’s modern creation.
| LETTER/SKU | Weight | Dimensions | Price (USD) |
| A: MSG1678 | .45 OZ TOTAL | 1" PIECES | $500.00 |
| B: MSG1679 | .4 OZ | 1 3/4" X 7/8" X 1/2" | $320.00 |
| C: MSG1680 | 0.7 OZ | 2 1/2" X 1 1/2" X 3/4" | $195.00 |
| D: MSG1681 | .6 OZ BOTH | 1 1/4" - 1 1/2" PIECES | $450.00 |
| E: MSG1682 | .7 OZ | 1 1/2" X 1 1/2" X 5/8" | $285.00 |
| F: MSG1683 | 1.3 OZ | 2 1/4" X 1 1/4" X 1" | $295.00 |
| G: MSG1684 | 3 OZ | 3" X 1 1/4" X 1 1/2" | $295.00 |
| H: MSG1685 | .7 OZ | 1.5" LEFT 2" RIGHT | $175.00 |
| I: MSG1686 | 1OZ | 2 1/4" X 1 1/2" X 1" | $780.00 |
The photographs show the collection in ordinary light and under shortwave UV, including views of both sides. Each specimen offers its own combination of color, texture, and fluorescent coverage.
Purchase individual pieces at their listed prices. Each individual piece has its own price; the displayed individual price does not include the entire lot.
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.
