mineral
Polished sodalite sphere (tentative)
Sodalite, Na₈(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)Cl₂
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectBlue with white-to-gray veining and dark patches; vitreous when polished, Mohs hardness 5.5–6, cubic crystal system, poor cleavage. The small polished sphere’s appearance is consistent with sodalite, but a photo cannot confirm the identification.
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Physical properties
Blue with white-to-gray veining and dark patches; vitreous when polished, Mohs hardness 5.5–6, cubic crystal system, poor cleavage. The small polished sphere’s appearance is consistent with sodalite, but a photo cannot confirm the identification.
Formation & geological history
Sodalite forms in silica-poor, sodium-rich igneous rocks, especially nepheline syenite and related alkaline intrusions. Such deposits formed at varied geological ages; the specimen’s age and source cannot be determined from the image.
Uses & applications
Used as a decorative carving and, less commonly, in beads and cabochons; also collected as a mineral specimen.
Geological facts
Sodalite is commonly confused with lapis lazuli, but typically lacks lapis’s abundant golden pyrite flecks.
Field identification & locations
Look for royal-to-deep blue color with irregular white calcite-like veining; a hardness or mineral test can help distinguish it from lookalikes. Notable sources include Canada, Brazil, Namibia, and Greenland.
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