mineral
Tumbled blue stone, likely sodalite
Sodalite, Na₈(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)Cl₂; identification is uncertain from the photo
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectDark royal-blue, opaque, glassy to greasy luster, commonly with white veining; Mohs hardness 5.5–6, massive rather than visibly crystalline, with poor cleavage. The glossy surface indicates tumbling and polishing.
Identified More mineral →
Explore Tumbled blue stone, likely sodalite in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Dark royal-blue, opaque, glassy to greasy luster, commonly with white veining; Mohs hardness 5.5–6, massive rather than visibly crystalline, with poor cleavage. The glossy surface indicates tumbling and polishing.
Formation & geological history
Forms in silica-poor, sodium-rich igneous rocks such as nepheline syenite, generally in alkaline intrusive environments. Geological ages vary widely, commonly Precambrian to Mesozoic.
Uses & applications
Used as a decorative and lapidary stone for cabochons, beads, carvings, and tumbled specimens; not generally used structurally.
Geological facts
Sodalite is commonly confused with lapis lazuli, but lapis usually contains golden pyrite flecks and is a rock mixture rather than a single mineral.
Field identification & locations
Common sources include Canada, Brazil, Namibia, and Russia. A uniform deep-blue color, white calcite-like streaks, and lack of metallic gold flecks support sodalite; testing streak, hardness, and composition would confirm it.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Tumbled granite
Granite, a coarse-grained felsic intrusive igneous rock
igneous
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous