Description of sodalite, its properties and subtleties of application

Among all existing minerals, many people consider diamonds and emeralds to be the best choice. Pyrope, jasper, carnelian, aventurine and many other stones are also well known and popular. Our article is devoted to a sodalite mineral, surprising in its properties and beauty.

Usually in everyday life sodalite is called "rock salt" or "rock soda." The main component of the mineral is sodium (hence the name). The breed looks similar to lapis lazuli, which is often a cause for unintended confusion. Often this moment is used for purposeful deception. The chemical composition of the mineral refers to sodium aluminosilicates, that is, along with the main substance contains a certain amount of aluminum and silicon.

All these metals do not exist in pure form. They are chemically bound to oxygen in the mineral. The ratio of the components is:

• sodium oxide - about 26%;
• silicon oxide - 37%;
• aluminum oxide - 31%;
• chlorine - about 7%.

It should be borne in mind that, unlike lapis lazuli, sodalite may not contain sulfur impurities. But to detect a similar difference can only be in the laboratory. Outwardly, it does not appear practically in any way. The similarity of minerals is also expressed in the presence of whitish spots. To eliminate the error, it is necessary to carry out scrupulous examination.

Mostly sodalite appears as a result of volcanic activity. Often it is found in the mountainous regions of Portugal, Germany or Canada. There is also a number of Russian sources located on the Kola Peninsula.

Look for sodalite accounted for in alkaline rocks.

Mineral is one of the veins or, in other words, fills the cracking of the earth's crust. The rock is mined mainly in secondary sediments. The accessory type of sodalite is also present in the territory of Karelia (or rather, in its northern part). The main Russian massifs are Salmogorsky, Forest Baraka, Afrikanda, Gornoozersky. There sodalite is surrounded:

• nepheline pyroxenites;
• urtites;
• Malinites;
• alkaline pegmatites.

Sodalite was found in the Ilmensky Mountains, where apatites, cancrinites, calcites, and pegmatoid miascites surround it. In the Cherry Mountains in the Urals, the mineral is an integral part of pegmatites with weak differentiation. Its formation was also revealed in the Synnyr massif, located north of Lake Baikal. Secondary mineral deposits are found in:

• Yakut massif Tomtor;
• Zaangarye;
• Burpala massif (west of Lake Baikal);
• Murunsky massif (east of this lake);
• Botogolsky massif (eastern part of the Sayan Mountains);
• Kuznetsk Alatau (among nepheline);
• Tuva;
• Mariupol massif;
• Pambak, Tezhsar, Schvanidzor complexes (Armenia);
• Esilsky massif (Kazakhstan);
• a number of alkaline massifs in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

The presence of sodalite in the Greenland massifs of Ilimausak and Kangerlussuak, in Czechoslovakia, Poland, the center of Italy, Romania and in the south of Portugal is known. There are deposits of the mineral on the African continent - in the Chilva, Chikola, Dzunguni massifs. There, sodalite can be both a rock-forming and accessory component. Sometimes it is noticed that it grows inside feldspar. On the North American mainland, sodalite is found in the states of New Hampshire, New Jersey, Maine, Montana, Arkansas, Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia.

Another mineral is mined or is present in:

• Republic of Korea;
• India;
• Myanmar;
• Great Britain;
• France;
• Germany;
• nepheline melanophonolitol Trinidad;
• ultra-alkaline phonoliths of the Marquesas Islands;
• New South Wales;
• Allende meteorites, Lance.

Unlike lapis lazuli, a mineral like sodalite can have a more varied color. Known samples of gray, white, green and even red. The last type was discovered in 1903 by researcher Hackmann.

Only a special technique helps to return the original coloring to it.

Characteristic of sodalite whitish spots during chemical analysis were the occurrences of calcite. At the same time they can not give a sun glare, like similar spots on lazurite. The reason is the absence of additional pyrite impurities. The degree of hardness of both stones is about the same. Their density also coincides (depending on the exact composition per cubic cm of rock there is 0.0022 to 0.0024 kg).

Both minerals shine like glass. But sodalite shines more intensely and does not give the characteristic greasy flare. The mineral has many pores. Thanks to them, it abundantly absorbs foreign matter. This allows, for example, to change color when exposed to sodium vapor.

The name of the mineral was given in 1810. There is no evidence that he was known in the Middle Ages or before. The rarity of sodalite is associated with the peculiarities of its extraction from the surrounding rocks. The breed is characterized by cubic syngony and implicit cleavage. The fracture may simply be bumpy or speckled with shells.

Sodalite may enter into ion exchange reactions. It is sometimes treated with a file. Known stones:

• blue;
• blue (including white veins and dots);
• green;
• blue-gray;
• yellow color.

People who are addicted to extrasensory and magic people consider sodalite to possess a number of supernatural properties. Indian belief says that the mineral helps to enhance intuition and accelerate enlightenment. Often, stone is used as an ornament by yogis. Based on the statements of astrologers, sodalite has the greatest value for those born on the 12th lunar day. Astronomers also believe that the mineral is suitable for the elements of Scorpions, Sagittarius and Taurus.

Fans of the supernatural often use sodalite for meditation. Quite often, it is used in the rites of love magic (as an amplifier of interest in the bearers).

The blue mineral contributes to the development of intuition, while the yellow mineral is considered an aid in the search for inner harmony. Psychics believe that red stones help restore vitality.

According to healers, sodalite helps those affected by radiation exposure. He is often advised to those who have low or high blood pressure. Some lithotherapists say that the stone has a positive effect on the condition of the liver. According to some of the adherents of traditional medicine, the mineral helps to cope with ailments of the liver and heart, kidneys and even digestion. There is an opinion according to which the stone will help with insomnia, goiter, weakening of the bone tissue.

In most cases, the stone is used for cabochon jewelry. Faceted cut applies only to transparent sodalites.. The opaque mineral is processed so that the texture and characteristic pattern are not lost. Therefore, be sure to exclude sections and carry out only polishing. It is aimed at the formation of rounded ornaments.

Sodalite is used not only in Europe, but also in Asia. They produce jewelry of predominantly religious nature from it. For a length of about 0.3 m, an average of 3,000 rubles is paid. Beads, hanging on the threads, are a kind of blank for needleworkers. 0.4 m of such a cord cost from 2 to 2.5 thousand rubles.

When buying raw fragments of sodalite with a length of 0.03-0.04 m, they pay from 300 to 500 rubles. The largest specimens (which are three times more) after polishing are sometimes from 3 to 4 thousand. For decorative purposes, square and triangular inserts are made from sodalite. In this case, be sure to ensure that there are large smooth areas. The mineral is appreciated by jewelers due to its medium hardness, even leading experts of the planet work with it.

For your information: in ancient times sodalite was first used to decorate Inca buildings. From the remnants of preparing blue mineral paint. In addition to the jewelry industry and the decoration of buildings, sodalite is also used in optical devices.

A description of the alleged healing properties and magical prejudices around sodalite shows which people usually use it. But astrologers would not be astrologers if they did not try to complicate matters as much as possible and promote their additional services. They argue that the selection of mineral must take into account not only the sign of the zodiac, but many other factors. More accurate information, as it were, can provide a layout of special cards. It’s up to you to decide whether to trust such instructions or not.

Sodalite is compatible with:

• corals of various colors;
• crystal glass;
• malachite;
• amethyst;
• rose quartz (and no other stones).

In any case, jewelry should be stored on a soft support. When these things are not used, they are immediately removed in a sealed box. So do to avoid exposure to sunlight. To wipe take only soft cloth. More information can be obtained upon purchase.

Details on the properties of sodalite, see below.