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Bright cherry red fluorescing tugtupite on an analcime matrix mixed with uranyl green makes for very attractive patterning. Very phosphorescent and tenebrescent.
Tugtupite is a very rare mineral - found in only three places around the world (Kola Russia, Mt St Hilaire, and Greenland). Pieces from Greenland are the most sought after due to coverage, size and brightness.
Prior to our explorations in 2001-2011 tugtupite was really only available from the Kvanefjeld locality, and only known from a few other places. Since, pieces from the Taseq Slope locality have become popular with collectors - and more available. This area has become the most prolific supplier of tugtupite to the fluorescent mineral market, and has been given the nickname "Taseq Tugtupite”. We should note that, unlike hackmanite from Greenland, tugtupite is not quick to fade once it has changed color. Pieces might take days or even weeks to fade completely.
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.
