Rocks and Minerals for Sale
Sodalite
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Item # SL1207001
Sodalite
Polished Freeform
from Brazil
$45.00
(+$8.25 shipping)
This is a beautiful piece of Brazilian Sodalite.  Even though it does not exhibit the Schiller effect as does some of
this material, it is still a very beautiful stone. The shades of blue are just brilliant, and the patterns in the rock are
really nice.
This freeform weighs 15.4 ounces, and measures 3 by 2-1/4 by 2-1/4 inches at the extremes.The piece has a
fantastic polish over the entire surface, and has one very small striation.  Otherwise, it is about as close to flawless as
you can get.
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Sodalite
Sodalite is a rich royal blue mineral widely enjoyed as an ornamental stone. Although massive Sodalite samples are
opaque, crystals are usually transparent to translucent. Sodalite is a member of the Sodalite group and together with
hauyne, nosean and lazurite is a common constituent of lapis lazuli.
Discovered in 1806 in Greenland, Sodalite did not become important as an ornamental stone until 1891 when vast
deposits of fine material were discovered in Ontario, Canada. It has since been named Princess Blue after Princess
Patricia who, upon visiting Ontario some time after its discovery, chose Sodalite as interior decoration for Marlborough
House in England.
Most Sodalite rocks used as a gem rock are mottled light, medium and/or dark blue, rarely with purple or magenta
spots;  white veinlets -- typically calcite or nepheline  that appear as streaks on some surfaces are common. It occurs as
masses that appear to be segregations and also as vein like masses in alkalic (commonly nepheline-bearing) igneous
rocks.
The best Sodalite comes from Brazil. Sodalite from Brazil often displays what is known as The Schiller Effect. This effect
is what causes the flash in Labradorite. In the best Sodalite, even though the effect is not as pronounced as in
Labradorite, it creates the appearance of a silvery shimmer in the stone. It is very attractive and highly desirable. If you
are buying Sodalite, it is worth waiting for a piece from Brazil, even if you have to pay a little bit more for it.
Click here to see Sodalite Spheres