Sodalite Properties & Information
Sodalite is a stone of two histories. We'll talk about the West first. The stone wasn't discovered by Europeans until the early 1800s in Greenland. It's actually quite a rare stone, too, so it was only used in jewelry later when more deposits were discovered. The stone is now found in Russia, Canada, and Namibia.
Aside from its distinctive blue color, sodalite is also known for having white streaks. Even stranger, other colors of sodalite exist. We just pretty much know it in its royal blue variety. Green, yellow, purple, and pink all exist; all of these sodalite varieties are rare. It can sometimes have brown or reddish-brown inclusions as well, depending on where it is sourced.
High-quality or vibrant blue stones are not terribly common, and when they are brought up, people almost always immediately think of sapphire, tanzanite (which is rare, expensive, and often small), lapis lazuli, and blue topaz. However, each of these has a far higher demand than sodalite, and most are more expensive than sodalite.
So, why don't people want a sodalite crystal for jewelry? Part of the problem is the hardness. Sodalite only ranks 5.5-6 on the Mohs scale, and this greatly limits how well sodalite can perform. Sodalite also looks like lapis lazuli; however, it is less deeply hued, and this might give people the impression that sodalite is cheap lapis, which is not the case.
Now, what about that other history? In Latin America, the stone had been traded and used for jewelry making or decoration. In particular, trade occurred at La Tolita and in Caral societies. It is unknown to what extent sodalite may have had value, and it was commonly traded alongside shells or obsidian. However, high-ranking individuals of these early societies were buried with sodalite crystal pieces.
Hackmanite is a variety of sodalite.
Metaphysical Properties of Sodalite
It is important to note that the claims of stones granting healing or spiritual power made by the metaphysical or crystal healing community have not been verified by science or healthcare professionals. It is not advisable to replace professional care or treatment with the use of crystals. No scientific evidence supports the claim that certain crystal formations or colors provide any benefit besides the placebo effect. While meditation is known to have certain benefits, it should not be considered an alternative or substitute for traditional, verified medical practices. It is crucial to always seek help from medical experts for matters concerning health. Using crystals or meditation should not be viewed as an alternative to seeking professional medical or health advice, treatment, or expertise.
Sodalite is a stone said to be a tremendous stone for encouraging communication and interaction. It is said to offer greater expression and bonding between someone and their loved ones, particularly if their love language is verbally based. It is said that a sodalite crystal assists in opening the lines of communication to those from whom one has been estranged or with friends who have grown apart. It is also believed to provide emotional healing power for relationships that have deteriorated or become stressed over time. The capacity of sodalite to inspire positive and honest interaction is said to be well-known in spiritual communities, and it is naturally associated with the Throat Chakra for this reason.
The Wrap Up
Sodalite is quite a beautiful stone, and it is rarer than people think. Despite the stone being confused for lapis lazuli, it's not uncommon to find sodalite in lapis lazuli specimens.
Sources
https://www.mindat.org/min-3701.html
https://geology.com/minerals/sodalite.shtml
Sanz, Nuria, Bernardo T. Arriaza, and Vivien G. Standen. The Chinchorro culture: A comparative perspective, the archaeology of the earliest human mummification. UNESCO Publishing, 2015.
Storey, Rebecca, and R. Widmer. "The pre-Columbian economy." The Cambridge Economic History of Latin America: The Colonial Era and the Short Nineteenth Century 1 (2006): 73-105.