Brazil A sodalite bracelet (5-7mm grains)

Sodalite gets its name from "soda," meaning "sodium," and "lithos," meaning "stone." It is literally translated as sodium stone or even salt stone.

Sodalite is a mineral species of the silicate group, subgroup of feldspathoid tectosilicates, composed of aluminum chloride and sodium silicate. This subgroup has a low silica content. Sodalite is found in magmatic rocks and meteorites.

Sodalite is often confused with lapis lazuli, which is an association of several minerals. Lapis lazuli contains hauyne, sodalite, calcite, and pyrite. It should be noted that pyrite is extremely rare in sodalite.

Sodalite occurs as isolated grains in rock or in massive aggregates, but very rarely as separate crystals. It is most often blue with white and black inclusions. Sometimes the stone can be colorless, gray, yellow, green, white, or red. It is usually opaque and very rarely translucent.

Some sodalites exhibit a phenomenon of tenebrescence or reversible photochromism. In darkness, the stone retains its luster due to the phenomenon of phosphorescence. Then, it loses its magnificent color. This phenomenon is very random: not all sodalites from the same deposit have this property.

It has a hardness between 5.5 and 6 on the Mohs scale. For comparison, diamond has a hardness of 10, the highest on the same scale.

Sodalite was discovered and identified at the beginning of the 19th century. However, the Romans already used sodalite, but of a gray or greenish color. This was sodalite from Vesuvius. 17,000 years ago, the volcano "la Somma" collapsed, giving birth to Vesuvius. The lava ejected by Vesuvius contains sodalite.

Furthermore, archaeological excavations have revealed offerings composed of sodalite fragments, quartz, and figurines dating from 2000 BC in northern Peru. Later (between 1 and 800 AD), remarkable jewelry created by the Mochica civilization was found in gold, including sodalite, turquoise, and chrysocolla.

In the early 19th century, Thomas Thomson (1818-1852), a famous Scottish chemist and physician, identified sodalite and gave it its name.

In 1901, Mary, Princess of Wales and wife of George V, during her visit to the Buffalo World's Fair, was captivated by the Bancroft sodalite from Canada. 130 tons were then shipped to England to decorate the princely residence of Marlborough (now the seat of the Commonwealth Secretariat).

Since 1961, the Bancroft quarries have been accessible to the public. Anyone with a bucket can collect sodalite. The only requirement is to wear closed-toe shoes!

The main deposits are in Brazil, Namibia, Egypt, etc.

Sodalite is a stone that reassures people lacking self-confidence in their abilities. These individuals no longer have the constant need to prove their worth. This stone soothes them and calms their stress. It provides them with serenity, eliminates their tendency towards aggression or sarcasm. It gives them much better self-esteem or, conversely, humility.

Sodalite is a stone of stability that suits highly sensitive individuals. It allows them to better control their emotions, reduces anxiety and panic attacks. It helps them overcome life's difficulties without panicking. Thus, people can calmly analyze the situation and react appropriately.

Moreover, sodalite is a stone that enhances logic and is particularly suitable for people who enjoy mathematics. It channels thought rationally and leads to quality reasoning.

This magnificent blue stone is a stone of openness towards others. It evokes attention, listening, and understanding of others. The person becomes empathetic and full of compassion. They are sincere and seek to help their interlocutor.

Darker sodalite provides effective protection against harmful influences and people with negative emotions. Sodalite, especially with white veins, encourages creativity and facilitates group cohesion. It emits soothing and relaxing energies into its environment.