mineral
Sodalite
Na4Al3(SiO4)3Cl (Sodium Aluminum Silicate Chloride)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 5.5-6 on the Mohs scale. Color: Royal blue, white, gray, or yellowish. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal System: Isometric. Cleavage: Poor dodecahedral. Specific Gravity: 2.15-2.40.
- Hardness
- 5
- Color
- Royal blue, white, gray, or yellowish
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5.5-6 on the Mohs scale. Color: Royal blue, white, gray, or yellowish. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal System: Isometric. Cleavage: Poor dodecahedral. Specific Gravity: 2.15-2.40.
Formation & geological history
Forms primarily in igneous rocks such as nepheline syenites and trachytes, crystallizing from sodium-rich, silica-poor magmas and hydrothermal environments.
Uses & applications
Commonly used in ornamental items, beads, carved objects, and as a collector's mineral specimen.
Geological facts
Sodalite is often confused with lapis lazuli and azurite, but it typically lacks the golden pyrite flecks found in lapis lazuli. It fluoresces a bright orange-red under ultraviolet (UV) light.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its rich royal blue color often mixed with white calcite veins. Commonly found in Canada (Bancroft, Ontario), Greenland, India, Namibia, and the USA.
