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A tugtupite and silver polylithionite sphere with beautiful patterning. On one side is a chkalovite crystal enclosed in a circle of brilliantly red fluorescent tugtupite. Tugtupite is often found replacing chkalovite.
Silver polylithionite is a bright mineral found on the Taseq Slopes, found within fine-grained layers. It fluoresces a brilliant yellow/white under shortwave UV.
Tugtupite is the most widely known fluorescent mineral from Greenland. It is typically a bright gemmy red and is the source for the gem material used in making beautiful tugtupite cabochons. The natural color ranges from a light pink to a deep cherry red. Under shortwave UV, the red glow is unmistakable.
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.
