Stories from Greenland – gemstones and symbols
A piece of Greenlandic jewellery can be more than form and material. The colours of the stones, the age of the mountains and motifs drawn from life in Greenland give every piece its own story.
Greenlandic gemstones – stories from the mountains
Nuummit – a dark stone with vivid flashes
Nuummit is a dark Greenlandic rock that, when polished, can reveal golden, blue and sometimes greenish or reddish reflections. It is found in rocks more than three billion years old in the Nuuk area. Its name means “from Nuuk”, and today Nuummit is one of Greenland’s best-known and most popular gemstones.
Tugtupit – the rare pink stone
Tugtupit ranges in colour from almost white to intense pink and is often described as Greenland’s national gemstone. Greenlandic Tugtupit is known from the area around Narsaq. The stone has an unusual property: its colour may fade in darkness and return in sunlight or ultraviolet light. Tugtupit was discovered in Greenland in 1957 and internationally recognised as a new mineral in 1965.
Greenlandite – 3.8 billion years of history
Greenlandite is green aventurine quartz with green and sometimes white layers. Its green colour is caused by microscopic grains of the mineral fuchsite. The stone is found, among other places, at Isukasia in the Nuuk Fjord region and is approximately 3.8 billion years old. It can therefore be described as the world’s oldest gemstone.
Symbols inspired by Greenland
MLH jewellery draws inspiration from Greenland’s nature, culture and everyday life. Motifs such as the ulu, kayak, whale tail, seal, polar bear, waves and tupilak can evoke different memories and associations. Their meaning is personal – and that is precisely why a piece of jewellery can hold special significance for the person wearing it.
The ulu
The ulu is a traditional tool that has been closely connected with work, community and everyday life for generations. Its distinctive shape has become a clear and recognisable motif in Greenlandic design.
The kayak and motifs from the sea
The kayak, whale tail, seal and waves tell of Greenland’s connection to the sea. In the jewellery, their simple forms become small reminders of nature, journeys and life along the coast.
The tupilak
The tupilak has a complex history in Greenlandic storytelling traditions. In modern arts and crafts, it is often portrayed as a powerful and expressive figure. At Akikik.gl, the motif is presented with respect for its cultural background and as part of a living Greenlandic design language.
Jewellery with a story
You are not simply buying a piece of jewellery. You are choosing a small piece of design, nature and inspiration from Greenland.
The geological information has been fact-checked using GEUS sources: Nuummit, Tugtupit and Greenlandite.