Sodalite

Sodalite is a group of minerals also known as the feldspathoid group. It was first discovered in 1811 by Europeans in Greenland. However, it's been traced back to the Caral People (2600-2000 B. C. ) near Lima for trading purposes.

It is rarely seen in crystal form and can sometimes be found intertwined with White Calcite. Sodalite is primarily blue but can be found as white, yellow, red, and green. Members of this mineral group include Lazurite, Haüyne, and Nosean. Composition: Sodium aluminum silicate with chlorine They sometimes fluoresce bright orange under ultraviolet light. Sodalite nearly always forms massive aggregates or disseminated grains.

Crystals are relatively rare; when found, they are dodecahedral or octahedral. Sodalite occurs in igneous rocks and associated pegmatites. It is sometimes found in contact metamorphosed limestones and dolomites and in rocks ejected from volcanoes. Rare crystals are found on the Mount Vesuvius volcano in Italy.