4.96 ct. Tugtupite in Matrix
Color: Medium Red / White
Clarity: Opaque
Origin: Narsaq, Greenland
Cut: Triangle
Treatments: None
Measurements: 15.9 x 11.4 mm
Tugtupite makes for a fantastic gem material - it displays the relatively rare phenomenon of tenebresence, that is, change of color with exposure to ultraviolet light. Take a look at the photos above, these are unaltered images showing the change after just a few seconds under a shortwave lamp. From a light pink to a deep cranberry shade. The color then gradually fades back to the lighter hue and the stone is ready to undergo the change again. Sunlight will induce this, but the UV light option is a bit quicker. And how fun is it to see an example faceted with the Tugtupite in the center, surrounded by the white Quartz matrix? Great looking example from the classic source for this material in Narsaq, Greenland.