Rare Tugtupite Cabochon, the “Reindeer Stone”, Phosphorescence and Tenebrescent, Fluorescent Stone from Narsaq, Greenland

weight : 9.70 CT

Size : 24*11*06 mm


Discovered in 1960, tugtupites are relatively recent entries into the gem world. A member of the helvine mineral group, tugtupite is also closely related to sodalite.

You may find this mineral referred to as "Reindeer Stone," after the type locality. Tugtup means "reindeer" in the Greenlandic Inuit language. (Perhaps the gem's similarity to a certain famous reindeer's nose has also reinforced that moniker).

This gemstone displays striking phosphorescence and tenebrescence. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, whether from artificial sources or sunlight, intensifies its colors, generally making it darker and redder. X-rays also darken paler colors. On the other hand, darkness will cause its red colors to fade. These effects are reversible.

One of the reasons why tugtupite is so unique and rare is because it is "tenebrescent." This means that under daylight, tugtupite appears to be a light pink/white color, but when submitting it to a UV light (and taking it away), then the tugtupite shows a deeper/dark pink color under daylight. This effect only lasts for a few minutes/hours and the effect can be repeated over and over again. Tugtupite is one of the only stones with this characteristic in the world. And the extremely bright fluorescence also makes this crystal very desirable.

Tugtupites can even glow in the dark after UV exposure.

The hardness of tugtupites can range from 4 to 6.5.