igneous
Yooperlite
Sodalite-bearing syenite glacial erratic
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, gray to brownish-gray in daylight, but exhibits a striking orange-yellow fluorescence under UV-C light due to rich sodalite inclusions.
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness of 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, gray to brownish-gray in daylight, but exhibits a striking orange-yellow fluorescence under UV-C light due to rich sodalite inclusions.
Formation & geological history
Formed from cooling alkalic magma intrusions, these rocks were later transported by glacial activity from the Kola Peninsula in Russia to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Uses & applications
Collected primarily as novelty mineral specimens, used in decorative lapidary arts, and displayed under ultraviolet light.
Geological facts
Discovered recently in 2017 along the shores of Lake Superior in Michigan, these rocks glow brilliantly when illuminated with a UV flashlight.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified at night using a 365nm or 254nm UV light along gravel beaches, appearing as glowing ember-like stones against darker background rocks.
