I hand-cut this matte-finish heart bead from genuine Michigan Yooperlite, a beach stone found along the shores of Lake Superior in Keweenaw County, in the wild and wonderful Upper Peninsula. Measurements are shown in the listing title, and the bead features a 2.5mm drill hole. CHAIN NOT INCLUDED.

This yooperlite heart is part of my long-standing practice of carving hearts from stone—objects meant to be held, worn, or kept close as quiet companions. Yooperlite carries the magic of hidden light, revealing its fiery glow only under ultraviolet illumination, reminding us that there is often more beneath the surface than first appears. Shaped as a heart, this stone becomes a symbol of inner warmth, emotional truth, and the spark of life carried within even the most unassuming forms. Each heart I make has its own presence and story, shaped by nature, time, and my hands—an invitation to connect with both the ancient geology of the Earth and the living energy it still holds.

Geologically, Yooperlite is a syenite containing inclusions of fluorescent sodalite, which glows a vivid orange-yellow under long-wave ultraviolet light. I photographed the fluorescent image using a 365nm long-wave UV flashlight (the same wavelength used by mineral collectors and lapidary artists) and the daylight image under a standard LED bulb. The glow you see isn’t magic—it’s physics—electrons absorbing UV energy and releasing it as visible light. But like all good physics, it feels like magic. With a quality UV light, these stones glow like embers or hot coals in the dark.

The term Yooperlite was coined by the Michigan rockhound who first identified fluorescent sodalite in syenite along these beaches—named in honor of the Yoopers who call the U.P. home. Each piece carries both place and story, shaped by ancient geology and revealed through modern light.

Fluorescent minerals truly come alive under a quality long-wave UV light. Simple novelty “black lights” don’t do them justice, and cheap knock-off flashlights often miss the wavelength entirely. For the best experience, I strongly recommend a 365nm long-wave UV flashlight, like the ones I use and offer as an optional add-on—so you can fully experience the glow, not just imagine it.

👉 You can choose to add a WTC Mini 365nm UV Flashlight – Longwave Blacklight for Fluorescent Minerals (USB Rechargeable) in the variation menu when purchasing. Select "Yes (+20)" at checkout if you’d like to include one with your order for an additional $20. I normally retail these for $25.

A heart of ancient stone, brought to life by light—an unexpected glow that reminds us how much beauty and magic can be hiding in plain sight, needing only the right wavelength to be revealed. One more heart in a lineage of stone hearts I’ve been carving for decades, each carrying its own quiet story.