mineral

Possible sodalite-bearing rock

Sodalite, Na₈(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)Cl₂, likely in a feldspathic matrix

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

The specimen appears dark blue with a pale gray-white fractured surface and massive, nonmetallic to vitreous luster. Sodalite has Mohs hardness 5.5–6, cubic crystal structure, indistinct cleavage, and specific gravity about 2.2–2.4; exact identification requires testing because lighting and scale are limited.

Identified August 23, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Sodalite forms in silica-poor, sodium-rich igneous rocks such as nepheline syenite, crystallizing from alkaline magmas. Such rocks commonly formed in Precambrian to younger alkaline complexes.

Uses & applications

Used as an ornamental stone, cabochon material, beads, carvings, and decorative aggregate; large uniform blue pieces are collectible.

Geological facts

Blue sodalite is commonly intergrown with white calcite or feldspar, producing attractive veining. The image could also represent blue lazurite-bearing lapis lazuli or another dyed/processed material.

Field identification & locations

Check for white calcite veining, a blue streak or powder, and hardness: sodalite scratches calcite but not quartz. Common sources include Canada, Brazil, Greenland, Russia, and Afghanistan; laboratory analysis is needed for certainty.