igneous
Yooperlite
Fluorescent Syenite with Sodalite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, gray to brownish matrix with bright neon-orange or yellow-green fluorescent patches under UV light, vitreous to greasy luster.
Identified More igneous →
Explore Yooperlite in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness of 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, gray to brownish matrix with bright neon-orange or yellow-green fluorescent patches under UV light, vitreous to greasy luster.
Formation & geological history
Formed from cooling alkaline magma intrusions, specifically glacial erratics found along the shores of Lake Superior containing rich sodalite inclusions.
Uses & applications
Collected primarily as a novelty and display mineral specimen for fluorescent mineral enthusiasts.
Geological facts
Yooperlites are scientifically known as syenite rich in fluorescent sodalite, which glows brightly under short-wave and long-wave ultraviolet light due to sulfur impurities.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified in the dark using a UV flashlight along beaches where glacial drift deposits are washed ashore, particularly around Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
