Tugtupite, Chkalovite and Arfvedsonite - Taseq Slope, Ilímaussaq complex, Greenland

Contributed by: Chris Clemens
minID: T08-G53
Date: May 2nd, 2026
Locality: Taseq Slope, Ilímaussaq complex, Kujalleq, Greenland (See on Mindat)
Size: 9 x 6 x 13 cm
Weight: 555 g

Description:
Mottled white to grey colored rock consisting of light colored tugtupite and grey chkalovite, with back needle-like crystals of arfvedsonite. Shows a beautiful multi-colored fluorescent response under UV. This specimen was collected by Howie Green in 2011 from the Taseq Slope, Ilímaussaq complex, Narsaq, Kujalleq, Greenland.

Seen under shortwave UV, the tugtupite fluoresces cherry red. The green response is likely caused by uranyl salts. The tugtupite shows white phosphorescence after the shortwave lamp is turned off. The fluorescent response of tugtupite under midwave UV (302nm) is pink and under longwave UV (365nm), the tugtupite fluoresces orange.

Originally posted by Chris Clemens on Nature's Rainbows in 2018.

Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.

Afterglow after exposure to shortwave UV light.

Fluorescence under midwave UV light.

Fluorescence under longwave UV light.

Normal light.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Tugtupite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

• Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Orange
• Fluorescence under Midwave (305nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Pink
• Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Red
• Afterglow after exposure to Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: White