Rock Identifier
Blue tumbled stone, possibly sodalite or dyed quartz (Tentative: sodalite (Na₈Al₆Si₆O₂₄Cl₂) or blue-dyed quartz (SiO₂)) — mineral
mineral

Blue tumbled stone, possibly sodalite or dyed quartz

Tentative: sodalite (Na₈Al₆Si₆O₂₄Cl₂) or blue-dyed quartz (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Small polished blue pebble with a vitreous-to-waxy luster; exact hardness and crystal structure cannot be confirmed from the image. Sodalite is Mohs 5.5–6, while quartz is Mohs 7; the intense uniform color may indicate dyeing.

Identified More mineral
Explore Blue tumbled stone, possibly sodalite or dyed quartz in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

Physical properties

Small polished blue pebble with a vitreous-to-waxy luster; exact hardness and crystal structure cannot be confirmed from the image. Sodalite is Mohs 5.5–6, while quartz is Mohs 7; the intense uniform color may indicate dyeing.

Formation & geological history

Sodalite forms in silica-poor alkaline igneous rocks, generally in relatively young continental or alkaline-magmatic settings; quartz forms in many igneous, metamorphic, and hydrothermal environments. A tumbled specimen has been mechanically polished after collection.

Uses & applications

Used mainly as an inexpensive lapidary, jewelry, and collector stone; blue-dyed quartz is decorative rather than especially valuable.

Geological facts

Natural sodalite commonly shows white veining or mottling, whereas dyed stones often have unusually even, saturated blue color and dye concentrated in fractures or porous areas.

Field identification & locations

Common sources include Canada, Brazil, Namibia, and Russia for sodalite; dyed quartz may originate from many localities. Check streak, hardness, magnification, and dye concentration, but avoid destructive tests on a tiny polished piece.