mineral

Sodalite

Na8(Al6Si6O24)Cl2 (Sodalite)

Hardness: 5.5 to 6 on Mohs scale; Color: typically deep blue with white veins of calcite; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: Poor/indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.27–2.33.

Hardness: 5
Color: typically deep blue with white veins of calcite
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified June 11, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in igneous rocks like nepheline syenites and phonolites through the cooling of silica-poor magmas. Often found in alkaline environments where sodium and aluminum are abundant but silica is scarce.

Uses & applications

Used primarily for ornamental purposes, jewelry (beads, cabochons), carvings, and as a decorative stone in architecture. Occasionally used as a pigment in painting.

Geological facts

Sodalite was first discovered in Greenland in 1811 but became extremely popular after large deposits were found in Ontario, Canada, in 1891. It is often called 'Princess Blue' after Princess Margaret of England visited the mines in Canada.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its intense blue color and characteristic white streaks of calcite. Unlike Lapis Lazuli, it rarely contains golden pyrite flecks. Common locations include Canada (Bancroft), Namibia, Brazil, and Greenland.