mineral

Sodalite

Na8(Al6Si6O24)Cl2 (Sodium Aluminum Silicate Chloride)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 5.5-6 Mohs; Color: Royal blue to greyish blue with white streaks; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal structure: Cubic; Gravity: 2.27-2.33.

Hardness: 5
Color: Royal blue to greyish blue with white streaks
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 8, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 5.5-6 Mohs; Color: Royal blue to greyish blue with white streaks; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal structure: Cubic; Gravity: 2.27-2.33.

Formation & geological history

Found in silica-poor igneous rocks such as nepheline syenites and phonolites. Formed through crystallization from alkaline magmas.

Uses & applications

Primarily used as a gemstone in jewelry (cabochons and beads), ornamental carvings, and architectural accents like countertops. Also popular in mineral collecting.

Geological facts

Sodalite is often mistaken for Lapis Lazuli, but unlike Lapis, Sodalite rarely contains golden pyrite inclusions and typically features white calcite veins instead. It is known to fluoresce orange under short-wave UV light.

Field identification & locations

Look for a rich blue color with distinctive white veining and lack of pyrite. Commonly found in Canada (Ontario), Brazil, Namibia, and Greenland. It is a tectosilicate mineral.