mineral

Sodalite

Sodalite (Na8(Al6Si6O24)Cl2)

Hardness: 5.5-6 Mohs. Color: Deep royal blue, often with white calcite veining or mottling. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal System: Cubic/Isometric. Specific Gravity: 2.27-2.33.

Hardness: 5
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 5.5-6 Mohs. Color: Deep royal blue, often with white calcite veining or mottling. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal System: Cubic/Isometric. Specific Gravity: 2.27-2.33.

Formation & geological history

Forms primarily in alkaline igneous rocks such as nepheline syenites and phonolites through magmatic crystallization. It is found in silica-deficient environments.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in jewelry as cabochons, as decorative carvings, ornamental stones, and architectural cladding. It is a popular collector's mineral.

Geological facts

Sodalite is a member of the sodalite group and is known for its intense blue color. It was famously discovered in Greenland in 1811 but became popular in jewelry after a large deposit was found in Ontario, Canada, in 1891.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its rich blue color and characteristic white calcite inclusions. Unlike Lapis Lazuli, Sodalite rarely contains gold-colored pyrite specks. It often fluoresces bright orange under long-wave UV light. Found in Brazil, Canada, Namibia, and Greenland.