mineral

Sodalite

Sodalite (Na8(Al6Si6O24)Cl2)

Hardness: 5.5-6 (Mohs scale); Color: Royal blue to violet with white calcite veins; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal structure: Cubic (Isometric System); Cleavage: Poor/indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.27-2.33.

Hardness: 5
Color: Royal blue to violet with white calcite veins
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified March 22, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in silica-poor igneous rocks such as nepheline syenites and phonolites, often through hydrothermal metamorphic processes. It is a member of the feldspathoid group.

Uses & applications

Used primarily as a gemstone for jewelry (beads, cabochons), ornamental carvings, and decorative architectural stone (countertops/tiles). Often sold as a more affordable alternative to Lapis Lazuli.

Geological facts

Sodalite was first discovered in Greenland in 1811 but became commercially popular after Princess Margaret of England visited Bancroft, Ontario, in 1901 and chose it for royal interior decoration.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its deep blue color and characteristic white veins; unlike Lapis Lazuli, it rarely contains gold-colored pyrite. Commonly found in Canada (Ontario), Brazil, Namibia, and Greenland.