Sodalite is a rich royal blue ornamental gemstone. Although massive sodalite samples are opaque, crystals are usually transparent to translucent. Sodalite is a member of the sodalite group.

Though discovered in 1811 in Greenland, sodalite did not become an important gemstone until 1891 – when vast deposits of fine material were discovered in Ontario, Canada.

A light, hard and fragile mineral, sodalite is named after its sodium content. Though famous for its blue color, sodalite may also be grey, yellow, green, or pink and is often mottled with white veins or patches. The uniform blue material is used in jewels as cabochons and beads. Less finer material is used as facing or inlay.

Sodalite rarely contains pyrite – a common inclusion in lapis lazuli. Its blue color is more if a royal blue than ultramarine. It is further distinguished from similar minerals by its white streak.

Sodalite was first described in 1811 for the occurrence in West Greenland. Occurring typically in massive form, sodalite is found as vein fillings in plutonic igneous rocks. Ontario, Quebec, Maine and Arkansas contain significant deposits. Brazil, Bolivia, Portugal, Romania, Burma and Russia contain smaller deposits.