In 1893 a rough specimen was shown in the Ontario Provincial exhibit of the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The Geological Survey of Canada also displayed cut and polished specimens at the Exposition. The royal blue colour of this sodalite piece is clearly visible. Sodalite is commonly associated with natrolite, which forms veins and masses in the sodalite. Photo courtesy of Dirk Schmid.
Sodalite cuts very nice gemstones.
Gemstones related to the mineral nepheline are of special interest to Canadians, since they are relatively exclusive to this country and sodalite is the best known. Bird carving . This carving is one of many attractive uses for the massive form of sodalite. Photo by Marilyn Fraser. Sodalite is a mineral of alkaline igneous and plutonic rocks associated with feldspathoids and occurring in massive form in nepheline syenite gneiss and pegmatite.