Tugtupite is a rare beryllium silicate known for its remarkable tenebrescence, where its pink color deepens upon exposure to sunlight. Collectors primarily seek it for its intense, glowing fluorescence under ultraviolet light. It is almost exclusively found in highly specialized alkaline igneous complexes.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent to translucent

mineralrareSodalite Group family

Tugtupite

Also: Tugtup, Reindeer Stone

Hardness: ~4
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent to translucent

Is this tugtupite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch tugtupite with a known reference. Tugtupite sits at Mohs ~4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: pink, white, crimson, blue, green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: massive.

Often confused with

Tugtupite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Sodalite

Mohs 5.5-6

How to tell apart: Sodalite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6 vs. ~4).

How to tell apart: Eudialyte is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6 vs. ~4).

Compare →

Often found alongside tugtupite

Minerals reported to co-occur with tugtupite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₄AlBeSi₄O₁₂Cl
Mohs hardness: ~4
Density: 2.33 g/cm³
Colors: Pink WhiteCrimsonBlue Green
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
Crystal system: Tetragonal
Crystal habit: Massive
Cleavage: Distinct on {101}, fair on {110}
Fluorescence: Dark crimson under SW UV; deep rich orange light crimson under LW UV
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Lapidary, Gemstone
Host rock: Alkali-rich, silica-poor intrusive igneous rocks

Where rockhounds find tugtupite

Classic worldwide localities

Mts. Sengischorr and Punkaruaiv, Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Alkali-rich, silica-poor intrusive igneous rocks. If you start seeing albite, analcime, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify tugtupite?+

Mohs hardness is ~4. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include pink, white, crimson, blue.

Where is tugtupite found?+

Notable localities include Mts. Sengischorr and Punkaruaiv, Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia; Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada.

Is tugtupite safe to handle?+

Tugtupite contains beryllium. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

What rocks look like tugtupite?+

Tugtupite is most often confused with Sodalite, Eudialyte. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with tugtupite?+

Tugtupite commonly co-occurs with Albite, Analcime, Aegirine, Natrolite, Tetranatrolite, Chkalovite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does tugtupite form in?+

Where it forms: Alkali-rich, silica-poor intrusive igneous rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is tugtupite used for?+

Tugtupite is used in collector, lapidary, gemstone.

Find tugtupite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.