Sodalite

Sodalite is another mineral that possesses a beautiful blue color. It is used for carvings and some cabochon jewelry pieces and is quite well known in the semi-precious stone trade. The color ranges from royal blue to light blue as well as white. Sodalite is named in reference to its sodium content. It was first discovered in 1891 at a deposit near Bancroft, Ontario by Frank D. Adams whiles he was investigating the geology of the Haliburton-Hastings area for the Geological Survey of Canada.

Sodalite is the most common mineral of the Sodalite mineral group which is composed of minerals with a similar isometric structure and related chemistry. The Sodalite group is also a sub-group within a group. Its members are also part of a larger group called the Feldspathoids, which are low-silica igneous minerals. Other members of the Sodalite group of minerals include Hauyne, Nosean, Lazurite and Hackmanite.

Sodalite is composed of Sodium Aluminum Silicate Chloride (Na4Al3(SiO4)3Cl). It has a hardness of 5.5 - 6.0 on the Moh’s Scale with a Specific Gravity of 2.1 - 2.3. The mineral commonly occurs in a massive form. Sodalite crystals are vitreous and transparent to translucent, however massive specimens can appear opaque.

Sodalite is relatively rare since there are only three large deposits known in the world: Bancroft, Ontario; Ice River area, British Columbia and Litchfield, Maine, USA. Some minor deposits of Sodalite have been found in Italy and Brazil.

As well as having a beautiful blue color Sodalite is also believed to aid cooling and drawing infections, burns, sinus inflammations and opening the throat chakra. Spiritually, it helps stimulate courage and endurance and releases subconscious fears and guilt.