mineral

Tumbled blue sodalite

Sodalite, Na₈(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)Cl₂

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically deep royal to gray-blue with white veining; vitreous to greasy luster, massive rather than visibly crystalline, Mohs hardness 5.5–6, and specific gravity about 2.2–2.4. The pieces are polished/tumbled, obscuring cleavage and crystal form.

Identified August 15, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in silica-poor, sodium-rich igneous rocks such as nepheline syenite and associated metamorphic rocks, crystallizing from alkaline magmas millions to billions of years ago. Common sources include Canada, Brazil, Namibia, and Russia.

Uses & applications

Used as an ornamental stone for cabochons, beads, carvings, tiles, and polished specimens; rarely used as a minor industrial mineral.

Geological facts

Sodalite is a feldspathoid mineral and may fluoresce orange under ultraviolet light. It is often confused with lapis lazuli, but lapis commonly contains visible golden pyrite and calcite.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its blue color, relatively low hardness, light streak, and white calcite veining; it is generally less intensely blue and less pyrite-rich than lapis. Common localities include Bancroft, Ontario, and Brazil.