mineral

Sodalite

Sodalite (Na8(Al6Si6O24)Cl2)

Hardness: 5.5 to 6 on Mohs scale; Color: typically royal blue, can be grey, white, or green; Luster: vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: Poor; Specific Gravity: 2.27 to 2.33.

Hardness: 5
Color: typically royal blue, can be grey, white, or green
Luster: vitreous to greasy

Identified May 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in silica-poor igneous rocks such as nepheline syenites or phonolites, as well as in contact metamorphic rocks. Large deposits are found in alkaline igneous complexes.

Uses & applications

Used primarily in jewelry as cabochons, beads, and carvings. Also used as an ornamental stone in interior design and as a pigment in some applications. It is a popular collector's mineral.

Geological facts

Sodalite is often confused with Lapis Lazuli, but it lacks the gold-colored pyrite specks common in Lapis and typically features more white calcite veining. It was first discovered in Greenland in 1811.

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by its intense blue color and association with white calcite. It can be found in locations like the Bancroft area of Ontario (Canada), Brazil, Namibia, and Greenland.