Sodalite Insights: All About The Beautiful Blue Gemstone

Written by: Jessica Greschner

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Time to read 3 min

Introduction:


Sodalite is an exciting and unique gemstone that's relatively hard yet a bit fragile. This stunning crystal is named for its sodium content, and is best known for its stunning blue colour! Sodalite also comes in shades of grey, yellow, green, and pink, often featuring white veins or patches that add to its charm. The diverse sodalite appearance makes it a favourite for collectors and jewellery enthusiasts. Sodalite is often found in Canada, and the rich, dark blue of Canadian sodalite is sure to impress! With its eye-catching looks it's no wonder sodalite jewellery is so popular!


Beyond its aesthetic appeal, sodalite is believed to aid in many mental and physical ailments! Many believe that this gemstone can enhance communication, making it easier to express thoughts and feelings clearly. It's also thought to boost creativity and expression, helping artists, writers, and musicians create highly inspired work. Additionally, sodalite is said to support fluid assimilation in the body, aid those struggling with excess weight, regulate bodily fluids, manage high blood pressure, and support cardiovascular health.

Metaphysical Properties

Sodalite is associated with the throat chakra and the western astrological sign Sagittarius. In feng shui, it is believed to possess water energy, creating a still, pure, and calm atmosphere. Due to this energy, sodalite is believed to unite logic with intuition, helping to organise the mind, as well as promoting rational thought and perception. Sodalite's high vibrations are also believed to unlock deeper intuition and overcome daily mental hurdles. It enhances mental capabilities and encourages deep self-evaluation.


Sodalite is known for bringing order and calmness to the mind. It is said to encourage objectivity, truth, and intuition, along with the ability to speak of one’s feelings. It is also said to balance emotions and calm panic attacks, enhancing self-esteem, self-acceptance, and self-trust. Sodalite aids in developing intuition, fostering a calm and reflective space to release negativity and gain a better understanding of oneself.


Sodalite pairs well with a number of other gemstones to amplify their effects! When combined with lapis lazuli, it is thought to increase mental capabilities and bring forward truthful insight. Moldavite is believed to enhance sodalite’s transformational capabilities, while rose quartz and sodalite together promote self-healing, releasing negativity, and replacing it with enlightenment.

Sodalite Slab close up
The Gem Boutique

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History Of Sodalite

Sodalite is a rare mineral named for its sodium content by Glasgow chemist Professor Thomas Thomson. Sodalite refers to a group of minerals with similar isometric structures and related chemistry, with the name derived from its most common member. The sodalite group belongs to the feldspathoid minerals and can be found in many colours, though the blue variety is the most familiar. Sodalite wasn't discovered until the early 1800s in Greenland and didn't gain much popularity until 1891, when large deposits were found in Ontario, Canada.


In 1901, the Princess of Wales received a gift of sodalite from Bancroft, Ontario, at the World's Fair in Buffalo, New York. She was so captivated by its colour that she arranged to have over 130 tons shipped to England in 1906 to decorate Marlborough House in London. This event led to the Bancroft mine being named the “Princess Sodalite Mine,” which remains open today with a rock and specimen shop and a 'rock farm' open to the public. In 1991, the discovery of hackmanite, or pink sodalite, in Quebec further highlighted Canadian sodalite's prominence.


While sodalite is not native to many regions typically inhabited by Native American tribes, its blue colour is often associated with wisdom, clarity, and intuition in various Native American cultures. Similar blue stones were used in spiritual ceremonies, reflecting the stone's revered status.

Sodalite sphere on tumbled Clear Quartz stones.
The Gem Boutique

Physical Properties

Sodalite is a beautiful gemstone and is found in many places across Canada, including Bancroft, Ontario, particularly in the Princess Sodalite Mine, the Ice River Valley, and the Kicking Horse River areas in British Columbia.


Sodalite has a distinctive look that makes it stand out in any collection. It comes in gorgeous colours like white, blue, violet, and even pink! The deep blue shade is especially sought after in the gem trade and is often mistaken for lapis lazuli due to their similar shades. This blue often has white streaks or patches that give it a unique look. Sodalite is beautiful in its natural raw form, however when it's polished, sodalite looks really sleek and shiny, showing off all its stunning patterns and colours.

Quarter of Sodalite Cookie
The Gem Boutique

Conclusion

Sodalite stands out as both a beautiful and beneficial stone. From its discovery in the early 1800s and rise in popularity, mostly through the Princess Sodalite Mine in Ontario, Canada, sodalite has truly become a staple gemstone. Whether you are drawn to its aesthetic appeal or its abilities to enhance communication, creativity, and emotional balance, sodalite offers something special for everyone!