Sodalite Gemstones by Colour
This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
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Sodalite Gemstones by Size
This table shows distribution of Sodalite gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:0.28 cts
Heaviest:8.44 cts
Average:1.28 cts
Total photos:13
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| General Information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Varieties/Types: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chemical Formula |
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| Sodalite Treatments | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sodalite is reported to lose its color on heating and regain it on irradiation (Przibram and Caffyn, 1956), indicating the probable presence of a color center - Nassau (1984) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Physical Properties of Sodalite | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mohs Hardness | 5.5 to 6, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Specific Gravity | 2.27 to 2.33, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Tenacity | Brittle, Handbook of mineralogy (2001) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Cleavage Quality | Poor, Gemstones (2009) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Fracture | Uneven,Conchoidal, Handbook of mineralogy (2001) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Optical Properties of Sodalite | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Refractive Index | 1.478 to 1.488, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Optical Character | Isotropic, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Dispersion | Nil, Gemstones (2009) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Colour | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Colour (General) | Blue, blue-violet, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Causes of Colour | Blue, interstitial oxygen ion O- near Al or Si. Pink, (hackmanite), unstable electron substituting for Cl- in a tetrahedron of Na+ ions, Pragmatic Spectroscopy For Gemologists (2011) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Transparency | Transparent,Translucent,Opaque, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Lustre | Vitreous,Greasy, Gemstones (2009) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Fluorescence & other light emissions | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fluorescence (General) | Orange, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Crystallography of Sodalite | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Crystal System | Isometric, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Habit | Polycrystalline aggregate, commonly with white veins, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Geological Environment | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Where found: | Formed in nepheline syenites, phonolites, and related rock types. In metasomatized calcareous rocks, and in cavities in ejected volcanic blocks., Handbook of mineralogy (2001) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Inclusions in Sodalite | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| White calcite patches and veins. No pyrite inclusions unlike lapis. Translucent sodalite: small black inclusions common - Blue Chart Gem Identification, Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, 2010, p 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Further Information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mineral information: | Sodalite information at mindat.org | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Significant Gem Localities | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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