Geology / History
A light, relatively hard yet fragile mineral Sodalite is named after its sodium content. In mineralogy it may be classed as a feldspathoid. Well known for its rich royal blue colour, Sodalite may also be grey, yellow, green or pink & is often mottled with white veins or patches.
Although somewhat similar to lazurite & lapis lazuli, sodalite rarely contains pyrite which is a common inclusion in lapis. Its blue colour is more like traditional royal blue rather than ultramarine. It is further distinguished from similar minerals by its white, rather than blue streak. Sodalite's six directions of poor cleavage may be seen as incipient cracks running through the stone.
Sodalite’s rich royal blue is widely enjoyed as an ornamental gemstone. Although massive sodalite samples are opaque, crystals are usually transparent to translucent. Discovered in 1811 in the Ilimaussaq intrusive complex in Greenland, sodalite did not become important as an ornamental stone until 1891 when vast deposits of fine material were discovered in Ontario, Canada.
Metaphysical Properties
Wear around neck to help release tension. Helps to vocalise thoughts & needs. Resonates with the throat charka. Unites logic with intuition. Stimulates pineal gland & third eye. Installs a drive for truth so you can remain true to self & stand up for your beliefs.
It cleans electromagnetic pollution caused by computers etc. Brings harmony, trust & purpose. Eliminates mental confusion, calms the mind, allowing old mental conditioning to go, leaving space for new insights. Calms panic attacks releases negative emotions of guilt, fear & control issues.
Crystal Healing
Balances metabolism, calcium deficiencies, cleanses lymphatic glands, boosting immune system. Helpful for all throat conditions, digestive disorders. Cools fevers, lowers blood pressure.
Mineralogy
Group: Tectosilicates without zeolitic H2O
Crystal System: Cubic
Composition: Na8(Al6Si6O24)Cl2
Form/Habit: Massive; rarely as dodecahedra
Hardness: 5.5-6
Cleavage: Poor
Fracture: Conchoidal to uneven
Lustre: Dull vitreous to greasy
Streak: White
Specific Gravity: 2.27-2.33
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
R.I: 1.483 - 1.487
Fluorescence: Bright red-orange
Colour: Non Tenebrescent variety: Rich royal blue, green, yellow, violet, white veining common
Tenebrescent (reversible photochromism) variety (Hackmanite): pink fading to white