Brazil A sodalite bracelet (7-8mm balls)

Elastic bracelet made of sodalite beads of approximately 7-8mm
Patterns and colors may vary from bracelet to bracelet

Sodalite gets its name from the nouns “soda” meaning “sodium” and “lithos” meaning “stone”. It literally translates to 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 igneous rocks and meteorites.

Sodalite is often confused with lapis lazuli, which is a combination of several minerals. Lapis lazuli contains haüyne, 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 in color with white and black inclusions. Occasionally, 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 brightness thanks to the phenomenon of phosphorescence. Afterward, it loses its magnificent color. This phenomenon is very random: not all sodalites from the same deposit have this property.

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

Sodalite was discovered and identified in the early 19th century. However, the Romans were already using sodalite, but it was gray or greenish in color. This is the sodalite from Vesuvius. 17,000 years ago, the volcano "La Somma" collapsed, giving rise to Vesuvius. The lava emitted by Vesuvius contains sodalite.

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

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

In 1901, Mary, Princess of Wales and wife of George V, during her visit to the Buffalo World's Fair, fell in love with 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 open to the public. Anyone with a bucket can collect sodalite. The only requirement is closed-toe shoes!

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

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

Sodalite is a stone of stability that is suitable for hypersensitive people. It allows them to better control their emotions and reduces anxiety attacks. It helps them overcome life's difficulties without panicking. This allows people to 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 rationally and generates quality reasoning.

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

The darker sodalite provides effective protection against harmful influences and people with negative emotions. The white-veined sodalite encourages creativity and facilitates group cohesion. It emits soothing and relaxing energies into its environment.