STONE LIBRARY

Yooperlite

Typical Origin Lake Superior shoreline, Michigan, United States; similar fluorescent sodalite-bearing rocks occur elsewhere
Material Type Rock
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Yooperlite

MATERIAL OVERVIEW

The Material

Yooperlite is a trade-name rock containing fluorescent sodalite within a syenitic host. In normal light it is commonly grey, grey-white, beige-grey, or darker grey with lighter or darker mottling; under suitable ultraviolet light, sodalite-bearing areas can fluoresce orange to yellow-orange.

Polishing reveals the mottled rock texture in normal light, while ultraviolet illumination can make fluorescent areas appear across the carved surface. Fluorescence depends on mineral content, excitation wavelength, and viewing conditions.

VISIBLE CHARACTER

Finished Material Character

See how natural banding, colour variation, and surface character remain visible after carving and polishing.

Yooperlite
Banding in the Finished Form
Yooperlite
Colour and Surface Variation

MATERIAL NOTES

Reference

Material Type
Rock
Typical Origin
Lake Superior shoreline, Michigan, United States; similar fluorescent sodalite-bearing rocks occur elsewhere
Natural Variation
Expected from piece to piece

MATERIAL JOURNAL

Learn More About Yooperlite

Continue with a deeper note on the material, its visible character, and what to look for in a finished carving.

Yooperlite | Pierre de lumière cachée et de profondeur intérieure
READ THE MATERIAL NOTE

Yooperlite | Pierre de lumière cachée et de profondeur intérieure

A collector guide to Yooperlite’s daylight appearance, orange UV fluorescence, transformative sculptural effect and practical care.

Read Article

IN THE COLLECTION

Yooperlite Specimens

Explore current works carved from this material.

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