Sodalite pebble Brazil A

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 from 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 igneous 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 the rock or in massive aggregates, but very rarely as separate crystals. It is most often blue with white and black inclusions. Sometimes the stone is colorless, gray, yellow, green, white or red. It is most often opaque and very rarely translucent.

Some sodalites exhibit a phenomenon of tenebrescence or reversible photochromism. In the dark, 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 to 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 in gray or greenish color. This is sodalite from Vesuvius. 17,000 years ago, the volcano "la Somma" collapsed and gave birth to Vesuvius. The lava ejected by Vesuvius contains sodalite.

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

At the beginning of the 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 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, fell in love with Bancroft sodalite from Canada. 130 tons were then shipped to England to decorate the princely residence of Marlborough (now: headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat).

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

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

Sodalite is a stone that reassures people who lack self-confidence in their abilities. These people no longer have the permanent need to prove their worth. This stone calms them and reduces their stress. It brings them serenity, eliminates their tendency to aggressiveness or sarcasm. It gives them much better self-esteem or, on the contrary, humility.

Sodalite is a stone of stability that suits highly sensitive people. It allows them to better control their emotions, reduces panic and anxiety 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 suited to people who enjoy mathematics. It channels thought in a rational way and generates quality reasoning.

This magnificent blue stone is a stone of openness towards others. It fosters 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, rather streaked with white, encourages creativity and facilitates group cohesion. It emits soothing and relaxing energies into its environment.