mineral
Sodalite
Sodalite (Na8(Al6Si6O24)Cl2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 5.5-6.0 Mohs, Color: deep blue to violet-blue, Luster: vitreous to greasy, Crystal structure: cubic/isometric, Cleavage: poor/indistinct.
- Hardness
- 5
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5.5-6.0 Mohs, Color: deep blue to violet-blue, Luster: vitreous to greasy, Crystal structure: cubic/isometric, Cleavage: poor/indistinct.
Formation & geological history
Forms in silica-poor igneous rocks (syenites, trachytes) and associated pegmatites. It is part of the sodalite group and is an aluminosilicate tectosilicate mineral.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in jewelry as beads or cabochons, for ornamental carvings, and as a popular mineral specimen for collectors.
Geological facts
Sodalite is often mistaken for Lapis Lazuli but lacks the golden pyrite inclusions common in Lapis. It can also exhibit fluorescence under UV light.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its deep blue color and white veins of calcite. Commonly found in Bancroft (Ontario), Brazil, Greenland, and Namibia.
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