mineral
Polished blue glassy mineral specimen, likely sodalite or blue aventurine
Most consistent with sodalite (Na₈Al₆Si₆O₂₄Cl₂), though dyed quartzite or blue glass cannot be excluded from the photograph
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectDeep navy-blue, opaque to translucent material with a vitreous-to-waxy luster and irregular polished surface. Sodalite has Mohs hardness 5.5–6, cubic crystal structure, poor cleavage, and specific gravity about 2.2–2.4; visible sparkly reflections may be polishing rather than crystal faces.
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Physical properties
Deep navy-blue, opaque to translucent material with a vitreous-to-waxy luster and irregular polished surface. Sodalite has Mohs hardness 5.5–6, cubic crystal structure, poor cleavage, and specific gravity about 2.2–2.4; visible sparkly reflections may be polishing rather than crystal faces.
Formation & geological history
Sodalite forms in silica-poor, sodium-rich igneous rocks such as nepheline syenite, generally during Precambrian to younger alkaline magmatic events. Common blue quartzite or dyed lapidary material would instead be metamorphic or human-treated.
Uses & applications
Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, ornamental stone, and collectors’ specimens; blue quartzite is used similarly. Value is mainly decorative rather than industrial.
Geological facts
The image is insufficient for confident mineral identification; the smooth, intensely uniform blue appearance could also indicate dyed stone or man-made glass.
Field identification & locations
Check for bubbles or perfectly conchoidal fracture (glass), white calcite veining and natural granular texture (sodalite), and hardness: sodalite scratches glass weakly, while glass generally does not scratch it. Common sodalite sources include Canada, Brazil, Namibia, and Russia.
