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www.mineralgallery.co.za Minerals P-T |
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Sodalite |
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Name
Sodalite
Chemistry
Na8[Ci2(AlSiO4)6]
Uses
As an ornamental stone and as a source of sodium.
Color
Blue brey white or colorless.
Hardness
5-6
Specific gravity
2.1-2.3
Streak
White
Crystals
Usually found in a massive form. Crystals are rare. They will be rhombododecahedral when found.
Accompanied by:
Nepheline, leucite, quartz, Augite, zircon, barite and titanite
Similar to:
Analcite, leucite, lapis lazuli, lazulite and charoite
Sodalite has a pleasant blue color and is used as a carving stone.
They manufacture spheres and eggs from it. Cabachones are also cut from it. We have several kilos of top quality material in stock.
Technical info:
The lustre is vitreous.
On cleavage faces it appears greasy. The cleavage is complete
It can be translucent but it is usually opaque.
The fracture is uneven.
It breaks conchoidal and it is brittle.
Acid test: soluble in hydrochloric.
Flame test: yellow because of the sodium. It is present in metasomatized rocks which can be the product of a volcanic eruption.