mineral

Sodalite

Sodalite (Na8(Al6Si6O24)Cl2)

Hardness: 5.5-6 (Mohs), Color: Royal blue to grey-blue with white calcite inclusions, Luster: Vitreous to greasy, Crystal structure: Isometric (cubic), Fracture: Conchoidal to uneven, Specific gravity: 2.27-2.33

Hardness: 5

Identified July 17, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in silica-poor igneous rocks such as nepheline syenites and phonolites. It typically crystallizes from alkaline magmas or through hydrothermal alteration of existing minerals. Notable deposits are in Precambrian and Paleozoic formations.

Uses & applications

Used primarily for ornamental purposes, jewelry (beads and cabochons), carvings, and as a popular specimen for collectors. In industry, it is sometimes used as a flux in glass making, though rarely.

Geological facts

Sodalite was first discovered by Europeans in Greenland in 1811, but it didn't become popular until 1891 when large deposits were found in Ontario, Canada, resulting in its nickname 'Princess Blue' after Princess Margaret of Wales.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its distinctive 'denim' blue color, white veining (usually Calcite), and lack of pyrite inclusions (which distinguishes it from Lapis Lazuli). It can often be found in alkaline igneous complexes like those in Bancroft, Ontario, or the Kola Peninsula in Russia.