mineral

Sodalite

Sodalite (Na8(Al6Si6O24)Cl2)

Hardness: 5.5-6 on Mohs scale; Color: typically royal blue, often with white calcite veining; Luster: vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Isometric/Cubic; Cleavage: poor; Specific Gravity: 2.27-2.33.

Hardness: 5
Color: typically royal blue, often with white calcite veining
Luster: vitreous to greasy

Identified May 22, 2026More mineral →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in silica-poor igneous rocks such as nepheline syenite and phonolite, often associated with pegmatites and metasomatic environments.

Uses & applications

Primarily used for decorative carvings, cabochons for jewelry, as a minor ore of sodium, and as a popular specimen for mineral collectors.

Geological facts

Sodalite is often confused with Lapis Lazuli, but lacks the golden pyrite inclusions common in Lapis. It can exhibit a property called tenebrescence where it changes color under UV light (specifically the Hackmanite variety).

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its rich blue color and association with white calcite and other feldspathoid minerals. Found in major deposits in Canada (Bancroft), Namibia, and Brazil.