Tugtupite

specimen number:
2072397

location:
Taseq Slope, Ilimaussaq, Greenland

description:

Pink masses of tugtupite in matrix. Brightly fluorescent.

The Taseq Slope is a prominent mineralogical locality within the Ilimaussaq Alkaline Complex, situated near Narsaq in South Greenland. Geologically, this site is part of a late Proterozoic layered agpaitic intrusion, characterized by an extraordinary enrichment in rare elements like lithium, beryllium, and zirconium. The area is the premier source for tugtupite, a rare beryllium silicate mineral that occurs as vein fillings and massive aggregates within hydrothermal albite-rich zones. Tugtupite is highly prized for its intense pink to crimson color and its remarkable photochromic properties, often darkening when exposed to ultraviolet light. Historically, scientific exploration of the Taseq Slope began in the mid-20th century, with significant mineralogical mapping conducted by Danish geologists during the 1950s and 1960s. While no large-scale industrial quarrying for tugtupite has occurred, the site has been consistently worked on a small-scale, artisanal basis for gemstone and specimen recovery since the mineral's description in 1962. As of 2026, the Taseq Slope remains a strictly regulated and world-renowned site for geological research and the collection of rare fluorescent minerals.

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