Sodalite Gemstone Information
In the world of rocks and minerals, the intense blue colour of the sodalite gemstone is incredibly rare. While it is one of the more affordable blue gems, it is also uncommon in jewelry. You won’t usually find blue sodalite in your average mall jewelry store, so many shoppers consider their sodalite pieces incredibly unique parts of their jewelry collection.
If you are curious about sodalite, including its properties, history, and origins, here’s a look at what this amazing stone is all about.
Sodalite Properties
The sodalite stone isn’t actually a gemstone. Instead, sodalite is a mineral. Large, well-formed crystal sodalite is relatively rare because it can be prone to fracture. However, the structure makes sodalite a bit translucent, giving it a beautiful lustre. The white veining also adds interest and makes every piece look highly unique.
What does sodalite look like? While sodalite is best known for its deep royal blue color, that isn’t the only sodalite color available. Along with violet-blue and light blue variants, sodalite may be grey, green, yellow, red, or colourless. It also has a weak orange fluorescence when exposed to UV light, which is considered a defining characteristic of sodalite.
The History of Sodalite
In the grand scheme of things, sodalite is a relatively new discovery. It wasn’t officially found until the early 1800s when it was spotted in Greenland and formally recorded for the first time.
However, even though sodalite is a unique colour, it didn’t gain traction, in the ornamental sense, until 1891. That’s when significant sodalite deposits were discovered in Ontario, Canada.
Then, in 1901, when the Princess of Wales was at the World’s Fair in Buffalo, New York, she received a gift of Sodalite that originated in Bancroft, Ontario. She became so enthralled with the stunning colouring that she made arrangements to get enough sodalite to decorate Marlborough House, her home in London. Over 130 tons of sodalite were sent to England for the royal residence. At that point, the Bancroft mine was dubbed the “Princess Sodalite Mine,” marking the occasion.
Plus, in 1991, hackmanite – also known as pink sodalite – was discovered in Quebec, Canada. That also made Canadian sodalite very prominent.
Where Sodalite is From
Sodalite can be found in several countries around the globe. Along with large deposits in several locations across Canada, sodalite is still found in Greenland, where it was first formally discovered. Plus, there are well-known sodalite sources in the United States (both in Arkansas and in Maine).
Over time, smaller deposits were found in a variety of countries from across the globe. This includes Afghanistan, Bolivia, Brazil, Myanmar, Namibia, Portugal, Romania, and Russia.
Sodalite Jewelry
Tumbled, cut, and polished sodalite crystal can all be stunning. The deep blue colouring and striking white veining make each sodalite stone unique, giving it a natural level of quirkiness and visual interest.
In many cases, a sodalite bracelet features strung sodalite beads. This allows the wearer to have a variety of blue hues punctuated by white to gray veining. The colouring goes incredibly well with gold or silver accents, letting shoppers go with their metal of choice.
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A sodalite necklace might also be made of strung sodalite beads. However, shoppers may spot the occasional sodalite pendant as well. These may include cut or polished sodalite stones, and the gemstone point look is often an incredibly popular sodalite pendant, as are sodalite cabochons.
When you look for sodalite jewelry, you might find necklaces and bracelets that only feature sodalite or options that combine sodalite with other stones. For example, when sodalite is strung next to topaz jade, you get colours that resemble surf and sand, a combination that is reminiscent of a day at the beach.
Sodalite Meaning
The sodalite stone meaning isn’t fully agreed upon. When it comes to sodalite metaphysical properties, some believe that the stone is calming and can help with inner truth or peace while others think it connects strongly to communication and assists with focus. At times, sodalite is connected to writers and has even been called the Poet’s Stone, though other gemstones have also been given that title, including the emerald.
The sodalite chakra is usually said to be throat chakra based on its colouring. The throat chakra is associated with the colour blue, and its location may also explain why some believe sodalite is associated with communication or the ability to speak one’s truth.
What does sodalite help with? Sodalite healing properties also a bit inconsistent. Depending on the belief system, claims about the sodalite stone range from it having the ability to bring emotional balance, boost the immune system, or improve self-esteem.
However, it’s important to remember that none of the supposed health or metaphysical benefits of sodalite are proven. Additionally, a gemstone or mineral isn’t a substitute for medical care. While wearing or holding sodalite shouldn’t typically cause harm, sodalite shouldn’t be viewed as a treatment or cure for any condition.
Stones Similar to Sodalite
When it comes to appearances, sodalite is frequently confused with lapis lazuli. The similar colouring can make it hard to spot the difference, particularly since lapis lazuli can actually contain sodalite and is also a beautiful blue ornamental stone.
Lapis lazuli is a much higher density. However, based on some of the appearance characteristics, one could say that it is highly similar to sodalite. Some of the other stones that are frequently confused with sodalite based on their look are azurite, lazulite, and dumortierite.