mineral

Sodalite

Sodalite (Na8(Al6Si6O24)Cl2)

Hardness: 5.5-6.0 Mohs; Color: Royal blue, mottled with white calcite or grey; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Cubic/Isometry; Cleavage: Poor/Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.27-2.33

Hardness: 5
Color: Royal blue, mottled with white calcite or grey
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified June 9, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 5.5-6.0 Mohs; Color: Royal blue, mottled with white calcite or grey; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Cubic/Isometry; Cleavage: Poor/Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.27-2.33

Formation & geological history

Formed in silica-poor igneous rocks like nepheline syenites and phonolites through magmatic crystallization. Known as a feldspathoid mineral common in alkaline environments.

Uses & applications

Used primarily for ornamental jewelry, decorative carvings, and as a semi-precious gemstone. Sometimes used in industry as a constituent in ceramics.

Geological facts

It is often confused with Lapis Lazuli, but Sodalite lacks the golden pyrite inclusions common in Lapis. It was famously discovered at the Princess Sodalite Mine in Bancroft, Ontario, following a visit by the Princess of Wales in 1901.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its characteristic royal blue color and white veins. In the field, look for its association with nepheline and absence of quartz. Common in Canada (Bancroft), Greenland, Brazil, and Namibia.