Tugtupite Gemstone: Properties, Meanings, Value & More

Tugtupite is a commonly mottled gemstone with predominant red or pink hues. It’s mainly found in Greenland and has the nickname “Reindeer Stone.”

Is tugtupite rare? Yes. It’s a fairly rare mineral and extremely rare faceted gem. It’s better known among collectors.

That said, tugtupite has fascinating properties like piezoelectricity, fluorescence, and tenebrescence — all of which we’ll break down in this guide.

Come along as we uncover the secrets behind tugtupite gemstone benefits, prices, history, and more!

Image credit: Jessa and Mark Anderson, Flickr, CC-BY-SA-2.0

What Is A Tugtupite Stone?

Tugtupite is a recently discovered semi-precious gemstone, only known since the 1960s. The rare stone was discovered in Greenland, where it’s also called Tuktu meaning “reindeer blood,” derived from the Greenlandic Inuit word tuttu for “reindeer.”

Astrologically, tugtupite benefits Leo signs.

The stone may resemble gems like rhodochrosite and rhodonite when it has pink and white or pink and black banding, respectively. However, rhodochrosite is a manganese silicate, rhodonite is a manganese carbonate, and tugtupite doesn’t contain manganese.

Though they may look different, tugtupite and sodalite are more closely related and often grow together.

Scientists have created synthetic tugtupite for research into how different sodalite-group minerals luminesce, but synthetic tugtupite hasn’t been made for gemstone use.

Tugtupite Specifications & Characteristics

Tugtupite is a beryllium aluminum tectosilicate containing chlorine and sodium. The mineral’s formula is Na4AlBeSi4O12Cl. Common impurities include iron, gallium, sulfur, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and water.

The mineral may be classified in the feldspathoid mineral group of tectosilicates similar to feldspars but with less silica and different structures. Other feldspathoids include afghanite, petalite, and sodalite-group minerals.

More specifically, tugtupite is part of the helvine mineral group, sometimes considered a subgroup of sodalite.

The crystal habits of tugtupite include short prisms with sphenoids (four-faced, wedge-shaped, closed form) or pyramids, masses, and fine-grained aggregates. Crystals may exhibit penetration twinning, creating pseudocubic triplets, or pseudo-trigonal contact twinning.

Pictured above: Tugtupite and chkalovite specimen in phosphorescent state after exposure to UVabc light | Image credit: Cran Cowan, Flickr, CC-BY-SA-2.0

Tugtupite Optical Properties

As mentioned earlier, tugtupite has some stunning properties.

For one, it displays strong fluorescence (glow under X-rays or UV-light) and phosphorescence (longer glow, like “glow-in-the-dark” materials). Some even call it the “king of fluorescent minerals.”

But most impressive is tugtupite’s tenebrescence, or “reversible photochromism.”

Tenebrescence, the rarest type of optical phenomenon in gemstones, is when a stone changes colors after being exposed to certain types of light (usually UV-light like sunlight) then goes back to its original color. This shift can happen repeatedly without permanently affecting the stone’s coloring.

Unlike color-changing gems, tenebrescent gems gradually shift colors when coming in and out of the different lights.

So, warmth and UV-light exposure (like sunlight) will make tugtupite’s color more intense, often from light pink to bright scarlet red.

The only other gems that can be tenebrescent are scapolite (rarely), spodumene, and the sodalite variety hackmanite.

Here are all of tugtupite’s properties listed:

• Mohs hardness: 4-6.5

• Color: Commonly white, pink, rose-red, crimson, green; Rarely blue; Mottling is common

• Crystal structure: Tetragonal

• Luster: Vitreous, sub-vitreous, waxy, dull, or greasy

• Transparency: Translucent to opaque

• Refractive index: 1.496-1.502

• Density: 2.11-2.60

• Cleavage: Distinct/good on {101}; Fair on {110}

• Fracture: Irregular/uneven or conchoidal

• Streak: White

• Luminescence: Fluorescence present - distinct rose-red stronger in SW-UV than LW-UV or salmon-red in SW-UV & orange in LW-UV; Phosphorescence present - bright cream to orange-cream or dull red to cream-white; X-rays - darkens paler colors

• Pleochroism: Present, weak to strong - bluish-red to orange-red or lilac to red-orange

• Birefringence: 0.006-0.008; Anomalously biaxial

• Dispersion: 0.012

• Optical phenomena: Tenebrescence

What about tugtupite’s metaphysical properties and meaning?

Image credit: Parent Géry, CC-BY-SA-3.0

Tugtupite Meaning & History

Tugtupite stones symbolize optimism, harmony, and love. Some interpret the tugtupite spiritual meaning as igniting passion or love you’d once lost or forgotten.

The stone’s ability to become a stronger color in the sunlight but fade in the dark can serve as a reminder to let your inner light shine.

In Greenland, tugtupite has inspired many legends, most prominently the story of Tutu:

The Inuit legend goes that Tutu, the “reindeer girl,” traveled up the mountains to give birth to her first child. During the delivery, the blood that came out went into the mountain stones, creating tugtupite.

History

Tugtupite was first discovered by Danish mineralogist Henning Sørensen in Tugtup Agtâkorfia, Greenland, in 1957. The mineral was found in an area called the Ilimaussaq complex, the same area where European explorers first found sodalite in 1811. Besides sodalite, it’s also the type locality for many other minerals including arfvedsonite and eudialyte.

The name "tugtupite" derives from this first locale, and Tugtup, meaning “reindeer” in Greenlandic Inuit, inspiring the nickname “Reindeer Stone.” The stone’s red coloring, resembling the famous red nose of the reindeer Rudolph, may also contribute to this nickname.

However, the first name for the stone was beryllium sodalite. Russian mineralogists Evgeny Ivanovich Semenov and Alexandra Vasilyevna Bykova published their discovery of tugtupite in Russia in 1960. Wider interest in the stone only came when it was discovered in another area in Greenland in 1962.

Sørensen proposed the name “tugtupite” in 1963, which was approved by the International Mineralogical Association (IMA) in 1965. The first tugtupite gemstones were made available in 1965 as well.

Like nuummite, tugtupite’s only abundant gemstone source is Greenland. Unfortunately, the stone has become significantly rarer since its initial discovery.

Back to the metaphysical side, what are the healing properties of tugtupite crystals?

Tugtupite Healing Properties

As a predominantly pink healing stone, tugtupite joins other pink gemstones in bringing acceptance and love, along with being heart chakra stones.

What does tugtupite do for you physically?

Physical Healing

Physically, tugtupite crystals are said to help with:

• Hormone balance

• Infertility

• Blood circulation

• Heart health

Emotional Healing

Emotionally, tugtupite benefits those dealing with cynicism or negativity, especially stemming from past hardships or betrayals. The crystal is believed to help you open yourself to love after heartbreak while helping you love yourself again.

Pictured above: Tugtupite under LW-UV light | Image credit: Géry PARENT, CC-BY-SA-3.0

Tugtupite Gemstone Properties

Besides rarity, tugtupite gemstone value depends on color, cut, clarity, transparency, and carat weight.

Color

The common pink colors in tugtupite gems are caused by sulfur-bearing color centers. Typically mottled, other colors in tugtupite include black, white, and sometimes green. Blue colors are rare, with likely fewer than a dozen blue tugtupite cabochons ever being cut.

Stones with more red to pink coloring than white or black are generally more valuable.

Among collectors, strong pleochroism, tenebrescence, and luminescence are also important.

Cut

Most often, tugtupite is cut into cabochons, carved, or sold uncut (rough). Faceted tugtupite gems are extremely rare and valuable.

Clarity & Transparency

Clarity is the degree of visible inclusions in a gem, which can lower the gem's transparency and value. Tugtupite specimens are usually included, often with yellow spots or black needles. Fewer inclusions and higher translucence mean higher value.

Carat Weight & Size

There have only been a few faceted tugtupites, all small (1-2 cts) and not entirely inclusion-free. Most translucent tugtupites become cabochons, and larger specimens are often cut (or sold rough) for ornamental pieces.

Pictured above: Tugtupite specimen under LW-UV light | Image credit: Géry PARENT, CC-BY-SA-4.0

Tugtupite Formation & Sources

Tugtupite forms in hydrothermal veins within intrusive igneous rocks, primarily nepheline syenite pegmatites. Sodalite-group minerals typically crystallize from sodium-rich magma inside igneous rocks as the rocks form.

Tugtupite can also form by replacing the sodium beryllium silicate chkalovite.

Associated minerals found with tugtupite include:

• Sodalite

• Sphalerite

• Pyrochlore

• Neptunite

• Chlzalovite

• Epistolite

• Aegirine

• Albite

Mining Locations

Nearly all gem-quality tugtupites come from the Taseq and Kvanefield areas of Greenland. The only additional known sources are Canada and Russia.

Part of tugtupite’s rarity is how difficult it is to mine in Greenland. Miners must travel by boat and on foot to high mountains, carrying the material back in bags.

Pictured above: Tugtupite pendant (set in 18K gold) after setting under a UV light | Image credit: Jessa and Mark Anderson, Flickr, CC-BY-SA-2.0

Tugtupite Price & Value

With such a rare gem, you can expect fairly high prices while browsing tugtupite for sale — though still lower than many precious gems.

Though some lower-quality faceted tugtupites can be found for around $30-$40 per carat, most are about $270-$480 per carat or higher.

Tugtupite cabochons range from around $8-$240 per carat, though most are around $20 per carat.

Pink tugtupite cabochon pendants cost between about $100 to $2,200, though rough pendants are usually $30 to $100. Tugtupite rings are generally $200 to $500. Earrings are around $200 to $250.

Lastly, we’ll go over tugtupite gemstone care.

Tugtupite Care and Maintenance

Given the stone’s low Mohs hardness and distinct cleavage, tugtupite jewelry can be fragile. We recommend opting for pendants and earrings — only wear tugtupite rings with protective settings.

Clean tugtupite with mild soap, warm water, and a soft toothbrush. Don’t use mechanical cleaning systems. Store it separately from other gems to avoid scratches.

Pictured above:  Tugtupite and chkalovite specimen under UVc light| Image credit: Cran Cowan, Flickr, CC-BY-SA-2.0

Is Tugtupite Tugging At Your Heartstrings?

Gemstone collectors adore tugtupite for its beautiful colors and UV-light reactions, while crystal healers prize the crystal for its purported ability to invite pure love into your life. No matter which side you’re on, there’s plenty to love about tugtupite!

Buy tugtupite and more unique gemstones today!