Sodalite

Q: What is Sodalite?

Sodalite is a deep royal blue sodium aluminosilicate mineral with white calcite veining that gives it a distinctive streaked appearance and distinguishes it from lapis lazuli with which it is often confused. Named for its high sodium content, it is found in phonolite, trachyte, and nephelinite igneo

Q: What is the hardness of Sodalite?

Sodalite has a Mohs hardness of 5.0 to 6.0, making it moderate for use in jewelry.

Q: How much does Sodalite cost?

Sodalite falls into the Budget (< $50/ct) price range. Prices vary based on color, clarity, cut, and origin.

Q: What is the crystal system of Sodalite?

Sodalite belongs to the Isometric crystal system.

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Sodalite is a deep royal-blue sodium aluminosilicate marked by white calcite veining that gives it a streaked appearance and distinguishes it from lapis lazuli, with which it is often confused. Named for its high sodium content, it forms in phonolite, trachyte, and nephelinite igneous rocks, with significant deposits in Brazil, Canada, Namibia, and the Oman Mountains. An especially vibrant variety from the Bahia state of Brazil, marketed as Princess Blue, is prized for ornamental objects and jewelry. With a Mohs hardness of 5 to 6, sodalite is relatively soft and is most often worked into beads, cabochons, and carvings rather than faceted stones.

Physical & Optical Properties

Category Semi-Precious Gems

Mohs Hardness 5.0 – 6.0

Specific Gravity 2.15 – 2.4

Refractive Index 1.478 – 1.488

Crystal System Isometric

Luster Vitreous,Greasy

Cleavage Indistinct

Fracture Uneven

Color various

Dispersion 0.018

Pleochroism Absent

Mohs Hardness

Mohs Hardness: 5.0 – 6.0

1 Soft10 Hard

Crystal System

Value & Market

Price Tier Budget (< $50/ct)

Where to Buy Sodalite

Blue Nile Fine jewelry retailer

James Allen Gemstone jewelry

Brilliant Earth Ethically sourced gems

Amazon Wide selection

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Treatments

Sodalite is reported to lose its color on heating and regain it on irradiation (Przibram and Caffyn, 1956), indicating the probable presence of a color center - Nassau (1984) 5 to 6Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references 2.15 to 2.40Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references BrittleAnthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001) IndistinctWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references UnevenArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) More from other references 1.478 to 1.488Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references IsotropicUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references NoneWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) AbsentWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) 0.018Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references Blue, blue-violetUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references Blue, interstitial oxygen ion O- near Al or Si. Pink, (hackmanite), unstable electron substituting for Cl- in a tetrahedron of Na+ ionsW. William Hanneman, Pragmatic Spectroscopy For Gemologists (2011) Transparent,Translucent,OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references Vitreous,GreasyArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) Strong; orangeWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references IsometricHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references Polycrystalline aggregate, commonly with white veinsUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references Formed in nepheline syenites, phonolites, and related rock types. In metasomatized calcareous rocks, and in cavities in ejected volcanic blocks.Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001) White calcite patches and veins. No pyrite inclusions unlike lapis. Translucent sodalite: small black inclusions common - Blue Chart Gem Identification, Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, 2010, p 9 Sodalite information at mindat.org Bolivia  Greenland  Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 453 Myanmar  [var: Hackmanite] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok [var: Hackmanite] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok [var: Hackmanite] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok [var: Hackmanite] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok [var: Hackmanite] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok [var: Hackmanite] [var: Hackmanite] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok

About Sodalite

Sodalite is a deep royal blue sodium aluminosilicate mineral with white calcite veining that gives it a distinctive streaked appearance and distinguishes it from lapis lazuli with which it is often confused. Named for its high sodium content, it is found in phonolite, trachyte, and nephelinite igneous rocks, with significant deposits in Brazil, Canada, Namibia, and the Oman Mountains. Princess Blue, an especially vibrant variety from Brazil's Bahia state, is particularly prized for use in ornamental objects and jewelry.