Sodalite Meaning: Properties, Benefits and Sodalite vs Lapis Lazuli
Sodalite looks like a night sky with clouds drifting across it: deep royal blue, streaked with white. It's known as the stone of logic and truth, the crystal for when your heart and your head can't agree and you need them to sit down and talk it through. Calm, clever and quietly intuitive, it's a favourite with writers, students and anyone who wants to say what they really mean.
In this guide we explore sodalite's meaning and spiritual meaning, its properties and benefits, its chakras and zodiac sign, how to tell sodalite from lapis lazuli, and how to wear and care for it.
| Colour | Royal blue to violet-blue, with white or grey veins |
| Mineral | Sodium aluminium silicate with chlorine |
| Hardness | 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale |
| Chakras | Throat and third eye |
| Zodiac | Sagittarius |
| Element | Water |
| Keywords | Logic, intuition, truth, clarity |
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Fancy carrying a little sodalite magic with you? Every piece is made in Cornwall, vegan and cruelty free.
What Is Sodalite?
Sodalite is a sodium-rich mineral, which is where its name comes from. It was first described in 1811 from specimens found in Greenland, and its rich blue is often marbled with white calcite. Today it comes mainly from Brazil, Canada, Namibia and Russia.
Canada has a lovely sodalite story. In 1901 the Princess of Wales was given a piece of sodalite from a quarry near Bancroft, Ontario, and loved it so much that she ordered a shipment to decorate Marlborough House in London. The quarry was renamed the Princess Sodalite Quarry, and deep blue Ontario sodalite is still sometimes sold as Princess Blue. Sodalite also has a secret: many pieces glow orange under ultraviolet light, and a rare variety called hackmanite changes colour in sunlight.
Sodalite Meaning
Sodalite is the stone of logic, truth and rational thought. It's associated with clear thinking, objectivity and finding the words to explain how you feel. Where fiery stones push you to act, sodalite asks you to pause, think and then speak. It's said to bring order to a racing mind and to help you see the bigger picture, which makes it a natural companion for study, writing and important conversations.
Sodalite Spiritual Meaning
Spiritually, sodalite connects logic with intuition. It's linked with the throat chakra, for honest communication, and the third eye, for insight and inner knowing, so it helps you trust your gut and then explain your reasoning. Many people use it in meditation to quieten mental chatter and to deepen their intuition, and it's also said to bring a sense of calm and emotional balance. Its starry blue colour makes it a dreamy stone for evening rituals and journalling.
Sodalite Properties and Benefits
- Logic and clear thinking: the classic stone for study, problem solving and big decisions. See our guide to crystals for career success.
- Truth and communication: associated with speaking honestly and finding the right words.
- Intuition: said to help logic and intuition work together. See our guide to crystals for intuition.
- Calm: linked with a quiet, ordered mind. See our guide to crystals for calm.
- Self-expression and confidence: a good companion for presentations, interviews and creative work.
Sodalite vs Lapis Lazuli: What's the Difference?
Sodalite and lapis lazuli are often mistaken for each other, and they really are related: sodalite is one of the minerals found inside lapis. Here's how to tell them apart.
- Colour: lapis is an even, vivid ultramarine; sodalite is a deeper royal blue that often leans towards violet or grey.
- Veins and flecks: lapis usually has sparkling gold flecks of pyrite; sodalite has white or grey calcite streaks and rarely any gold.
- Meaning: lapis is the stone of wisdom and royalty; sodalite is the stone of logic and truth. Both are linked with the throat and third eye.
Read more about lapis in our lapis lazuli guide.
Sodalite Chakras and Zodiac Signs
Sodalite is linked with the throat and third eye chakras. It's most closely associated with Sagittarius, the truth-seeking adventurer of the zodiac, and its love of logic also suits thoughtful Virgos. Find your own stones in our zodiac crystal guide.
How to Use Sodalite
- Wear it: a sodalite bracelet keeps its calm, clear energy with you all day. Our sodalite 8mm bead bracelet and slimmer sodalite 6mm bead bracelet stack nicely together.
- Keep it on your desk: a piece of sodalite beside your books or laptop is a classic study companion.
- Before a big conversation: hold sodalite for a minute and set an intention to speak clearly and kindly.
- Pair it: sodalite with clear quartz for clarity, or with amethyst for calm intuition.
Is My Sodalite Real?
Real sodalite has natural white or grey veins and patches that vary from piece to piece, and many stones glow orange under a UV torch. Dyed howlite or glass imitations tend to look too even, and dye can collect in cracks. If you see lots of gold sparkle, you may be looking at lapis lazuli instead.
Cleansing and Caring for Sodalite
At 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, sodalite is moderately soft, so store it apart from harder stones and take it off for heavy work. Clean it with a soft, damp cloth; a quick rinse is fine, but avoid long soaks, salt water and harsh chemicals. Keep it out of strong sunlight for long periods. Cleanse its energy with moonlight, sound or smoke. Our guide to cleansing crystals and guide to charging crystals explain each method.
Explore more blue stones in our guides to lapis lazuli, turquoise and blue sapphire, or look up any stone in our A-Z Crystal Guide.
Every piece is cleansed, energy infused, vegan and cruelty free, and 5% of all proceeds go to Pacific Wild to help protect the Great Bear Rainforest.
Sodalite FAQs
What is sodalite good for?
Sodalite is associated with logic, clear thinking, intuition and honest communication. It's a popular crystal for study, writing and important conversations.
What chakra is sodalite linked with?
Sodalite is linked with the throat chakra and the third eye chakra.
Is sodalite the same as lapis lazuli?
No. They look alike and sodalite is one of the minerals inside lapis, but lapis is a brighter blue with gold pyrite flecks, while sodalite is deeper blue with white veins.
Can sodalite go in water?
A quick rinse is fine, but avoid soaking it or using salt water, as sodalite is fairly soft.
Is sodalite rare?
No. Sodalite is widely available, though deep, evenly coloured pieces such as Canada's Princess Blue are especially prized.
Which zodiac sign is sodalite for?
Sodalite is most closely linked with Sagittarius.
Does sodalite fade in the sun?
Long spells in strong sunlight can dull its colour, so it's best kept out of direct sun. Charge it by moonlight instead.
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