Like a starry night sky captured in stone, sodalite's deep blue colour flecked with white calcite creates a cosmic appearance. Known as the "Poet's Stone," it's been valued for enhancing creativity and rational thought since its discovery in the early 19th century.
What is Sodalite?
Sodalite is a sodium aluminium silicate mineral displaying rich royal blue to navy hues with distinctive white veining or mottling from calcite inclusions. Major deposits are found in Brazil, Canada, India, and Namibia, and it rates 5.5-6 on the Mohs hardness scale. The name comes from its high sodium content, though it's often confused with lapis lazuli due to similar colouring. Discovered in Greenland in 1811, sodalite gained popularity after massive deposits were found in Ontario, Canada. Princess Patricia of Connaught loved it so much that sodalite became known as "Princess Blue."
A Modern Discovery
Whilst sodalite was scientifically identified in 1811, it remained relatively obscure until 1891 when large deposits were discovered in Ontario during a royal visit. Princess Patricia fell in love with the stone, and it was used extensively to decorate Marlborough House in England. Canadian artisans carved sodalite into decorative objects and jewellery, promoting it as a national treasure. Unlike many gemstones with ancient histories, sodalite's story is refreshingly modern, gaining appreciation for its beauty and metaphysical properties throughout the 20th century.
Sodalite's Qualities
Traditionally associated with the throat and third eye chakras, sodalite is known for enhancing communication and intuition. It's loved for:
- Encouraging rational thought and objectivity
- Supporting clear, authentic communication
- Enhancing intuition and inner knowing
- Calming mental chatter and panic
- Boosting self-confidence and self-expression
Its calming, intellectual energy appeals to writers, artists, and thinkers seeking mental clarity and the courage to express their truth.