Sodalite (Sodium Aluminium Silicate Chloride) is named in reference to its high sodium content.

 

It's one of the stones i use frequently, and its such a deep beautiful royal blue that its always quite popular with customers. Ive used it here in this Lariat Necklace -its the darkest of the blue beads, including the one 2nd from the bottom on the necklace.

 

Its quite grainy, but in comparison with many other stones, has limited color variation. You'll generally see it in this rich, opaque dark blue, but its also found with some translucency as well green, yellow, light red and commonly white grains. Its mostly sourced from Brazil, but is readily available in Australia. I actually purchased these Sodalite nuggets when i was travelling in India. Sodalite measures 5.5 on the hardness scale which means its suitable for necklaces, but not so great for rings, or jewellery which will get knocked about a lot.

 

Medicinally, it has been used in the treatment of digestive disorders, insomnia, deficiencies in Calcium, and gland metabolism. Its also said to assist with balancing the intuitive & logical sides of the brain -great for us Geminis out there........