Tugtupite is a very rare and special mineral that discolours under both daylight and UV light. It is found in Greenland and is extremely difficult to obtain. Nice little pieces. Read more.
Tugtupite from Greenland
Tugtupite was first discovered in 1957, in Tugtup agtakôrfia, Greenland, a few kilometres east of the town of Narssaq, by Professor Henning Sørensen. The name tugtupite is derived from the place where the mineral was first found. Turgtupite is also called Tuktu, a name derived from the Greenland Inuit word for reindeer (tuttu) and means "reindeer blood". Tugtupite is a rare silicate closely related to sodalite.
Optical properties
Tugtupite has a number of fascinating optical properties, including tenebrescence and fluorescence. Tenebrescence is the ability to change colour when exposed to light. Tugtupite is strongly tenebrescent and changes colour from white or light pink, to vivid red and even purple red. The colour changes within minutes when exposed to sunlight or short-wave ultraviolet light. Absence of daylight during the long arctic winter causes tugtupite to naturally lose colour within a few weeks to months. The colours will return naturally when exposed to sunlight again.
Fluorescent mineral
Tugtupite is also highly fluorescent with both short and long wave ultraviolet light. Under the short wave it glows strong orange to orange-red and under the long wave weak salmon pink. It is also called the "King of Fluorescent Minerals". Tugtupite is also phosphorescent, with the colour fading from light to dark green after a few minutes after the extinction of a UV light source.
Size of the stone
Tugtupite is very rare. Note these are small pieces and come in a magnifying glass box that is supplied free of charge.
Operation of tugtupite
Tugtupite is a stone of unconditional love in all forms. It helps in entering into relationships and provides positive energy. Tugtupite can relieve stress and help release tension and fear.
