Judging quality
Even blue with clean white veining and a good polish. Some Greenlandic material (hackmanite) fluoresces orange and even changes color after UV exposure.
Feldspathoid
Sodalite
Royal blue feldspathoid streaked with white calcite veining. Often confused with lapis, but sodalite lacks pyrite and reads more violet.
Care
Moderately soft. Wash with a damp cloth; avoid prolonged soaking.
History & lore
The great Ontario deposit was popularised after Princess Patricia chose it for Marlborough House in 1901, giving rise to the name 'Princess Blue'.
Cultural history, recorded as tradition rather than as medical or scientific claim.
Common questions about Sodalite
- What is Sodalite?
- Royal blue feldspathoid streaked with white calcite veining. Often confused with lapis, but sodalite lacks pyrite and reads more violet.
- How hard is Sodalite and what is it made of?
- Sodalite is a Feldspathoid-family mineral with the composition Na8(AlSiO4)6Cl2. It crystallizes in the isometric system and rates 5.5-6 on the Mohs hardness scale. It occurs in blue, white.
- Where does Sodalite come from?
- Notable localities for Sodalite include Brazil, Canada (Ontario), Namibia, Greenland.
- How do you tell good Sodalite from filler?
- Even blue with clean white veining and a good polish. Some Greenlandic material (hackmanite) fluoresces orange and even changes color after UV exposure.
- How do you care for Sodalite?
- Moderately soft. Wash with a damp cloth; avoid prolonged soaking.
See it in person
Photographs only go so far
Both rooms are open six days a week, and there is always someone happy to pull pieces out of the case so you can compare them under the light.