mineral

Sodalite

Sodalite: Na8(Al6Si6O24)Cl2

Hardness: 5.5 to 6.0; Color: Royal blue to deep indigo with white or grey streaks/mottling; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic/rhombic dodecahedrons); Cleavage: Poor; Specific Gravity: 2.27 to 2.33.

Hardness: 5
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified March 24, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in silica-poor igneous rocks such as nepheline syenites and phonolites. It can also occur in contact metamorphic rocks. It typically forms in hydrothermal environments or magmatic crystallizations.

Uses & applications

Used primarily as an ornamental gemstone for jewelry, cabochons, and beads. It is also used for carvings, sculptures, and architectural stone (slabs/tiles). Industrially, it is sometimes used as a pigment or a source of aluminum and sodium in limited applications.

Geological facts

First discovered in Greenland in 1811, but became popular in 1891 when large deposits were found in Ontario, Canada. It is often confused with Lapis Lazuli, but Sodalite lacks the gold pyrite inclusions and generally has white calcite veins instead. It is known to fluoresce orange under UV light.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its rich blue color with white calcite inclusions and lack of pyrite. In the field, it is mostly found in alkaline igneous complexes. Notable locations include Bancroft (Canada), Brazil, Namibia, and Greenland. Collectors look for deep violet-blue specimens with unique white patterning.