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Sodalite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page kindly sponsored by John Kashuba
About Sodalite
Formula:
Na4(Si3Al3)O12Cl
Some K substitutes for Na in the grey-white Afghan sodalites. Hackmanite was originally defined as containing S. The brilliant yellow fluorescence arises from a disulfide ion with a negative charge replacing the Cl.
Colour:
All Colours
Lustre:
Vitreous, Greasy
Hardness:
5½ - 6
Specific Gravity:
2.27 - 2.33
Crystal System:
Isometric
Member of:
Name:
The name reflects its sodium content.
Type Locality:
Sodalite Group. Also classed as a feldspathoid.
Ideally sodalite has Na4Cl in the two cages in the unit cell. Unlike haüyne and nosean, sodalite is virtually CO2-free (Bellatreccia et al., 2009).
In some sodalites, the aluminosilicate cages appear to contain only Na and Cl according to EDS spectra.
Unlike haüyne and lazurite, Ca and K are seldom in the cages. The grey sodalites from Afghanistan contain minor K.
The white variety hackmanite is reported to contain S, but EDS studies show if it is there, it often occurs below detection limits (~1%) (R.W.M. Woodside, unpublished data).
The photoluminescence effect in sodalite may be connected with admixture of sulfur (presence of S enlarges the unit cell). Sodalite is also photochromic likely due to formation of F-centers (Zahoransky et al., 2016).
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Sodalite.
Ideally sodalite has Na4Cl in the two cages in the unit cell. Unlike haüyne and nosean, sodalite is virtually CO2-free (Bellatreccia et al., 2009).
In some sodalites, the aluminosilicate cages appear to contain only Na and Cl according to EDS spectra.
Unlike haüyne and lazurite, Ca and K are seldom in the cages. The grey sodalites from Afghanistan contain minor K.
The white variety hackmanite is reported to contain S, but EDS studies show if it is there, it often occurs below detection limits (~1%) (R.W.M. Woodside, unpublished data).
The photoluminescence effect in sodalite may be connected with admixture of sulfur (presence of S enlarges the unit cell). Sodalite is also photochromic likely due to formation of F-centers (Zahoransky et al., 2016).
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Sodalite.Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3701
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3701:9
Similar Names
| Satelite | A synonym of 'Serpentine cat's-eye' |
| Sodaite | A synonym of 'Wernerite' |
| Sondalite | A rock subtype |
| Stealite | A synonym of 'Chiastolite' |
| Steelite | A synonym of Mordenite |
| Stellite | A synonym of Pectolite |
IMA Classification of Sodalite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Na4Si3Al3O12Cl
First published:
1811
Classification of Sodalite
9.FB.10
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
F : Tektosilicates without zeolitic H2O
B : Tektosilicates with additional anions
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
F : Tektosilicates without zeolitic H2O
B : Tektosilicates with additional anions
76.2.3.1
76 : TECTOSILICATES Al-Si Framework
2 : Al-Si Framework Feldspathoids and related species
76 : TECTOSILICATES Al-Si Framework
2 : Al-Si Framework Feldspathoids and related species
17.3.3
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
3 : Silicates with chloride (including aluminosilicates)
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
3 : Silicates with chloride (including aluminosilicates)
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Sdl | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Sdl | Kretz (1983) | Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279. |
| Sdl | Siivolam & Schmid (2007) | Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download |
| Sdl | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
| Sdl | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Sodalite
Vitreous, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
All Colours
Comment:
Colourless, white, light yellow, green, light to very dark blue, gray, pink to violet
Streak:
White
Hardness:
5½ - 6 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
Poor on {110}
Poor on {110}
Fracture:
Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
2.27 - 2.33 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.31 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Sodalite
Type:
Isotropic
RI values:
n = 1.483 - 1.487
Surface Relief:
Moderate (negative)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Sodalite
Mindat Formula:
Na4(Si3Al3)O12Cl
Some K substitutes for Na in the grey-white Afghan sodalites. Hackmanite was originally defined as containing S. The brilliant yellow fluorescence arises from a disulfide ion with a negative charge replacing the Cl.
Some K substitutes for Na in the grey-white Afghan sodalites. Hackmanite was originally defined as containing S. The brilliant yellow fluorescence arises from a disulfide ion with a negative charge replacing the Cl.
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Fe,Mn,K,Ca,H2O,S,Br
Crystallography of Sodalite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
43m - Hextetrahedral
Space Group:
P43n
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.876(6) Å
Unit Cell V:
699.28 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Crystals rare, dodecahedron.
Twinning:
Common on {111} forming pseudohexagonal prisms. (This may not be twinning, but merely elongated growth in the (111) direction). Twinning can occur in these elongated crystals. These have re-entrants in the terminations and 6 terminal faces instead of 3 for an elongated dodecahedron.
Comment:
Range: 8.870 - 8.882 A.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0006211 | Sodalite | Antao S M, Hassan I, Wang J, Lee P L, Toby B H (2008) State-of-the-art high-resolution powder x-ray diffraction (HRPXRD) illustrated with Rietveld structure refinement of quartz, sodalite, tremolite, and meionite The Canadian Mineralogist 46 1501-1509 |  | 2008 | Bancroft, Ontario | 0 | 293 |
| 0007133 | Sodalite | Ballirano P, Maras A (2005) Crystal chemical and structural characterization of an unusual CO3-bearing sodalite-group mineral European Journal of Mineralogy 17 805-812 | 2005 | Mt. Vesuvio, Italy | 0 | 293 | |
| 0005193 | Sodalite | Peterson R C (1983) The structure of hackmanite, a variety of sodalite, from Mont St-Hilaire, Quebec The Canadian Mineralogist 21 549-552 | | 1983 | Mont St-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada | 0 | 293 |
| 0006396 | Sodalite | Han S, Smith J V, Pluth J J, Richardson J W (1990) Crystal structure of MAPO-20 sodalite: theoretical analysis of three-color ordering of Mg, Al and P in a sodalite unit European Journal of Mineralogy 2 787-798 | 1990 | 0 | 295 | ||
| 0003420 | Sodalite | Hassan I, Antao S M, Parise J B (2004) Sodalite: High-temperature structures obtained from synchrotron radiation and Rietveld refinements American Mineralogist 89 359-364 | | 2004 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0003419 | Sodalite | Hassan I, Antao S M, Parise J B (2004) Sodalite: High-temperature structures obtained from synchrotron radiation and Rietveld refinements American Mineralogist 89 359-364 | | 2004 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0003418 | Sodalite | Hassan I, Antao S M, Parise J B (2004) Sodalite: High-temperature structures obtained from synchrotron radiation and Rietveld refinements American Mineralogist 89 359-364 | | 2004 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0003417 | Sodalite | Hassan I, Antao S M, Parise J B (2004) Sodalite: High-temperature structures obtained from synchrotron radiation and Rietveld refinements American Mineralogist 89 359-364 | | 2004 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0003416 | Sodalite | Hassan I, Antao S M, Parise J B (2004) Sodalite: High-temperature structures obtained from synchrotron radiation and Rietveld refinements American Mineralogist 89 359-364 | | 2004 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0003415 | Sodalite | Hassan I, Antao S M, Parise J B (2004) Sodalite: High-temperature structures obtained from synchrotron radiation and Rietveld refinements American Mineralogist 89 359-364 | | 2004 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0003414 | Sodalite | Hassan I, Antao S M, Parise J B (2004) Sodalite: High-temperature structures obtained from synchrotron radiation and Rietveld refinements American Mineralogist 89 359-364 | | 2004 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0003413 | Sodalite | Hassan I, Antao S M, Parise J B (2004) Sodalite: High-temperature structures obtained from synchrotron radiation and Rietveld refinements American Mineralogist 89 359-364 | | 2004 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0003412 | Sodalite | Hassan I, Antao S M, Parise J B (2004) Sodalite: High-temperature structures obtained from synchrotron radiation and Rietveld refinements American Mineralogist 89 359-364 | | 2004 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0003411 | Sodalite | Hassan I, Antao S M, Parise J B (2004) Sodalite: High-temperature structures obtained from synchrotron radiation and Rietveld refinements American Mineralogist 89 359-364 | | 2004 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0003410 | Sodalite | Hassan I, Antao S M, Parise J B (2004) Sodalite: High-temperature structures obtained from synchrotron radiation and Rietveld refinements American Mineralogist 89 359-364 | | 2004 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0003409 | Sodalite | Hassan I, Antao S M, Parise J B (2004) Sodalite: High-temperature structures obtained from synchrotron radiation and Rietveld refinements American Mineralogist 89 359-364 | | 2004 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0003408 | Sodalite | Hassan I, Antao S M, Parise J B (2004) Sodalite: High-temperature structures obtained from synchrotron radiation and Rietveld refinements American Mineralogist 89 359-364 | | 2004 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0003407 | Sodalite | Hassan I, Antao S M, Parise J B (2004) Sodalite: High-temperature structures obtained from synchrotron radiation and Rietveld refinements American Mineralogist 89 359-364 | | 2004 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0006395 | Sodalite | Han S, Smith J V, Pluth J J, Richardson J W (1990) Crystal structure of MAPO-20 sodalite: theoretical analysis of three-color ordering of Mg, Al and P in a sodalite unit European Journal of Mineralogy 2 787-798 | 1990 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0006394 | Sodalite | Han S, Smith J V, Pluth J J, Richardson J W (1990) Crystal structure of MAPO-20 sodalite: theoretical analysis of three-color ordering of Mg, Al and P in a sodalite unit European Journal of Mineralogy 2 787-798 | 1990 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0009790 | Sodalite | Hassan I, Grundy H (1984) The crystal structures of sodalite-group minerals _cod_database_code 1000028 Acta Crystallographica B40 6-13 |  | 1984 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0018028 | Sodalite | Barth T (1932) The structures of the minerals of the sodalite family _cod_database_code 1011139 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 83 405-414 | 1932 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0018060 | Sodalite | Pauling L (1930) The structure of sodalite and helvite _cod_database_code 1011185 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 74 213-225 | 1930 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0006397 | Sodalite | Han S, Smith J V, Pluth J J, Richardson J W (1990) Crystal structure of MAPO-20 sodalite: theoretical analysis of three-color ordering of Mg, Al and P in a sodalite unit European Journal of Mineralogy 2 787-798 | 1990 | 0 | 200 | ||
| 0006398 | Sodalite | Han S, Smith J V, Pluth J J, Richardson J W (1990) Crystal structure of MAPO-20 sodalite: theoretical analysis of three-color ordering of Mg, Al and P in a sodalite unit European Journal of Mineralogy 2 787-798 | 1990 | 0 | 20 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.63 Å | (100) |
| 6.30 Å | (80) |
| 2.10 Å | (80) |
| 2.57 Å | (70) |
| 2.38 Å | (70) |
| 1.569 Å | (60) |
| 1.480 Å | (60) |
Comments:
Ice River, British Columbia, Canada. ICDD 20-1070.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust | >4.50 |
| 9 : Lava/xenolith minerals (hornfels, sanidinite facies) | |
| High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks |
Geological Setting:
Sodalites occur:
- in alkaline intrusives (Princess Mine, Bancroft, Ontario, Canada);
- in alkaline pegmatites (Mont St Hilaire, Quebec, Canada);
- in carbonatites (Magnet Cove, Arkansas, USA);
- in marble skarns or metasomatized calcareous rocks (Ladjuar Medan, Sar-e-Sang, Afghanistan);
- in phonolites and volcanic ejecta (Mount Vesuvius, Italy).
- in alkaline intrusives (Princess Mine, Bancroft, Ontario, Canada);
- in alkaline pegmatites (Mont St Hilaire, Quebec, Canada);
- in carbonatites (Magnet Cove, Arkansas, USA);
- in marble skarns or metasomatized calcareous rocks (Ladjuar Medan, Sar-e-Sang, Afghanistan);
- in phonolites and volcanic ejecta (Mount Vesuvius, Italy).
Type Occurrence of Sodalite
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Nepheline Seyenite
Synonyms of Sodalite
Other Language Names for Sodalite
Varieties of Sodalite
| Germanate-sodalite | An artificial Sodalite with Ge in place of Si |
| Hackmanite | A variety of sodalite showing tenebrescence (reversible photochromism). Hackmanite can be a deep pink, blue or purple but quickly fades to colourless when exposed to sunlight. The original colour can be restored quickly by exposure to short-wave ultraviol... |
| Molybdosodalite | A variety of sodalite containing molybdenum oxide. |
Relationship of Sodalite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Sodalite Group:
| Bolotinaite | (Na7◻)(Al6Si6O24)F · 4H2O | Iso. 43m : I43m |
| Haüyne | Na3Ca(Si3Al3)O12(SO4) | Iso. 43m : P43n |
| Lazurite | Na7Ca(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)(S3) · H2O | Iso. 43m : P43n |
| Nosean | Na8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4) · H2O | Iso. 43m : P43n |
| Sapozhnikovite | Na8(Al6Si6O24)(HS)2 | Iso. 43m : P43n |
| Slyudyankaite | Na28Ca4(Si24Al24O96)(SO4)6(S6)1/3(CO2) · 2H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Tsaregorodtsevite | (N(CH3)4)(AlSi5O12) | Orth. 222 : I222 |
| Vladimirivanovite | Na6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,S3,S2,Cl)2 · H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 124 photos of Sodalite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 110 photos of Sodalite associated with Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 |
| 80 photos of Sodalite associated with Cancrinite | (Na,Ca,◻)8(Al6Si6O24)(CO3,SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 79 photos of Sodalite associated with Analcime | Na(AlSi2O6) · H2O |
| 76 photos of Sodalite associated with Nepheline | Na3K(Al4Si4O16) |
| 66 photos of Sodalite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 61 photos of Sodalite associated with |
Hiassu farm, Itaju do Colônia, Bahia, Brazil