Sodalite Jewelry
A royal blue mineral veined with white calcite. One of the ingredients of lapis lazuli
Unearthed Gemstones Sodalite Jewelry
Click the photos for a closer look of the jewelry pieces
Hardness
5.5 - 6 (Medium): Wear with care; This gemstone can dull over time.
Toughness
Fair (Needs care — Vulnerable to knocks and sharp blows)
Mineral Family
Sodalite
Transparency
Translucent to Opaque
Crystal System
Cubic
Lustre
Vitreous
What Is Sodalite?
Sodalite is a sodium-rich silicate in deep royal blue, usually veined with white calcite, and its name simply reflects that sodium content. It is one of the minerals that make up lapis lazuli, which explains why the two are so often confused; the quick tell is that sodalite lacks lapis's golden pyrite sparkles. A huge deposit found in Ontario, Canada in 1891 became famous after material was chosen to decorate a royal residence, earning it the nickname princess blue. Brazil and Namibia are other major sources. Some sodalite even glows orange under UV light.
Is Sodalite Durable Enough for Everyday Jewelry?
Sodalite sits at 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, so it will pick up scratches in a hard-working ring but is perfectly happy in pendants, earrings and beads. It is cut as cabochons, beads and carvings that show off the blue and white marbling.
How to Care for Sodalite Jewelry
Keep it away from acids and long soaks, and clean it with a quick wash in warm, soapy water.
Is Sodalite Ever Faked?
It is affordable and abundant, so there is little incentive to fake it; if anything, it is sodalite that gets passed off as pricier lapis.
Gemstones Similar to Sodalite
Sodalite is actually one of the minerals inside lapis lazuli; dumortierite is the harder blue look-alike.
