All About Sodalite – Uses, Properties, Color, and Worth

Sodalite, a mineral discovered in igneous host rocks, originates from the depths of the earth. Its name derives from the significant sodium content present within its cubic silicate and aluminum structure. While boasting considerable hardness on the Mohs scale, sodalite also exhibits fragility and susceptibility to breakage.

Host rocks that will contain sodalite are nepheline syenite, phonolite, and trachyte.  These types of host rocks can be rare, however very large amounts of sodalite have been found in locations such as Bancroft, Ontario and Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada. 

The USA locations of Litchfield, Maine, and Magnet Cove, Arkansas have also produced large amounts of sodalite.  Sodalite can come as transparent crystals as well, though more rare these crystals can be found in Northern Namibia and Vesuvius, Italy.   

What is The Color of Sodalite?

The color of sodalite varies, ranging from a rich royal blue to various shades of blue. Typically, sodalite exhibits beautiful white veining that intertwines with the blue hues, adding a distinct visual appeal. While predominantly white veining is common, sodalite can also showcase other colors in its veins.

Veining colors can be different than the typical white and can come in such colors as gray, green, colorless, pink, yellow, orange, and red.  Names such as sunset sodalite can be given to sodalite expressing vein colors of reds or oranges.       

Sodalite is Used for Few Things

Sodalite uses are not many. Sodalite will commonly be used for ornamental purposes and jewelry.  Often this mineral will be used as display pieces of raw or cut out and polished cabochons.  The uses of sodalite as ornamental pieces can be numerous…

Sodalite is good for many displayable and cut out objects:

• Crystal Towers – Sodalite obelisks or Sodalite towers are quite popular with this mineral.
• Balls – Sodalite balls are very desirable with the blues and whites.
• Hearts – Cutting sodalite out into a heart seems to be common.
• Sculptures – Many different sodalite sculptures are cut out with this mineral.
• Slabs – Slabs can be fairly plain but with the swirling colors of this mineral.
• Ah… Naughty Stuff – Maybe I should just classify this under sculptures, but I suppose people go in this direction.

These are a few of the many ornamental pieces that can be cut out from sodalite.  These pieces can be polished to a very nice shine and will capture the eye quite easily.  A nice carved out and polished ball with some blues to whites can almost look like a small watery world with the clouds swirling about.

Due to the hardness and other properties of sodalite a common way to bring out the colors of this mineral is to tumble the stones and give them a good polish.  Sodalite cabochons are quite popular with rock and mineral collectors.  

Sodalite jewelry can be in the form of:

• Beaded bracelets – Sodalite beads are very popular as a type of jewelry.
• Earrings – Sodalite earrings are typically cut out into cabochon forms and fixed to the metal for the earring.
• Rings – Rings are not too common with sodalite.
• Necklaces – Again, beads can be fairly popular with sodalite. A beaded necklace is a common use for sodalite.
• Pendants – Like rings, or earrings, are a cut out cabochon fixed to the metal.

These are most of the ways that sodalite can be applied to jewelry.

Some people believe that sodalite, while worn, carried, or just in the near vicinity, will hold abilities to improve your communication with others, improve creativity, and also help with clairvoyance.

The Worth of Sodalite Will be Minimal

Sodalite is worth very little as it is abundant in a few locations in the world. The value of sodalite will be under $1 per carat due to its abundance and availability.  The worth of sodalite will increase with a few important factors.

The size, color, and the cut out shape of the specimen of sodalite will be important when pricing sodalite.  A sodalite sphere fitting in a fingered grasp can range in the $25 up to $80.  When the sphere gets to the size of a bowling ball, expect to pay upwards to $400.00 USD. 

Cut out sculptures such as birds, skulls, horses, hippos, frogs and much more will end up costing more the larger it is and the more detailed the carving is.  Sodalite is very friendly to those wanting to carve anything out of it and carve them to larger sizes if desired.  Expect to start paying $50 USD or more as the size and detail of these sculptures increases.

For the most part, sodalite fixed to jewelry will be cheap and the cost will come mainly from the type of precious metal that holds the stone.  A good example excluding any precious metals might be a bracelet with 22 beads of sodalite.  If the price is about $18 USD, expect each bead to be about .81 cents apiece, though some bracelets can get a bit cheaper than that.     

The Big Differences Between Sodalite and Lapis Lazuli

Identifying sodalite from lapis lazuli can be difficult. One of the differences between these two minerals is that sodalite rarely contains any pyrite which will typically be in lapis.  Another difference is sodalite is a different color of blue, royal blue to be exact, where lapis lazuli has an ultramarine color… 

Sodalite and lapis lazuli do not have the same streak.  The streak of sodalite is white, while the streak of lapis lazuli is light blue. Additionally, sodalite will be far more available than that of lapis lazuli.  Sodalite has been given the nick name “poor man’s lapis” due to its greater abundance keeping it a cheaper alternative to lapis lazuli.  Many will purchase the cheaper sodalite as they see the color as similar in both the minerals, and take the less expensive choice.