Yooperlites Unearthed: Michigan's Latest Glowing Rock Discovery

Using a black light to aid his search for distinctive glowing rocks along Lake Superior's beaches, a Michigan resident stumbled upon a new type of rock. Erik Rintamaki, a gem and mineral dealer, made the discovery while combing a Michigan beach last summer. Amidst the thousands of pebbles covering the Lake Superior shoreline, he encountered a glowing rock unlike any he had ever seen. Dubbed "Yooperlite," this fluorescent orb stood out among the rest, marking a unique find in his rock-hunting ventures.

Resembling lava glowing through fissures in the earth, a luminous glow emanated from the crevices of the small rock. Rintamaki recognized that this discovery likely wasn't unique, yet his online searches yielded no information about these radiant rocks. Despite reaching out to numerous individuals in the gem and mineral community, none could shed light on the identity of these enigmatic specimens.

Night after night, he returned to the beach, armed with his trusty black light to reveal the glowing treasures hidden among the rocks. Astonished by the abundance of these luminous stones scattered along the shoreline, he began collecting Yooperlites by the bagful, eventually selling them online. Michigan State University expressed interest in purchasing some for further study, sparking a collaborative research effort between them and the University of Saskatchewan in Canada. After months of investigation, the universities confirmed Rintamaki's groundbreaking discovery of a new rock type. While acknowledging the possibility that others may have encountered these rocks previously, Rintamaki was the first to have Yooperlites officially recognized and verified.

Michigan State University bestowed the scientific moniker "Syenite Clasts Containing Fluorescent Sodalite" upon the glowing rocks. Meanwhile, Rintamaki's chosen appellation for the rocks, "Yooperlites," derives from the affectionate term "Yoopers," referring to residents of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Following the official verification and public announcement of the discovery in May 2018, Rintamaki's life underwent a profound transformation. Flooded with thousands of messages, he found himself unable to attend to them all. Presently, he conducts Yooperlite tours along the Lake Superior beaches, guaranteeing every participant's encounter with these remarkable stones. Guiding groups to the shore at dusk, they wield black lights for approximately four hours, scouring the sands for Yooperlites.

Even amidst his newfound fame, Rintamaki continues to vend Yooperlites and invests in equipment capable of polishing the stones into flawless, spherical forms. During his off-tour hours, he often embarks on solitary expeditions in search of Yooperlites throughout the night. Working the night shift at a casino, he concludes his duties around 2 a.m., thereafter heading to the beach to scour for rocks until sunrise

Rintamaki's fervor for these stones has elevated him to a status of local renown. He notes that his tour schedule is fully booked through 2019, and videos showcasing his rock-hunting exploits have gained widespread attention online. Indeed, these distinctive rocks are truly one-of-a-kind.