Lapis Lazuli vs. Sodalite: How to Tell the Difference
Despite the fact that lapis lazuli and sodalite may appear similar in color, distinguishing between the two is typically simple—especially if one is aware of the fact that sodalite is also found in various colors other than blue (none of which come close to resembling the deep, royal blue of lapis). Lapis lazuli, on the other hand, is only found in blue—although the shade may range from a very slightly violet to a nearly navy blue, depending on the quality of the stone. Indeed, lapis is a rock, composed of several different minerals, one of which is sodalite.
Identifying Lapis Lazuli with Pyrite Inclusions
The most straightforward method of identifying lapis lazuli versus sodalite is to look for the specks of pyrite that are typically found in lapis lazuli. These golden flecks can be found in most, but not all, lapis lazuli, regardless of its quality. Now, while both pyrite and sodalite can originate in similar geological conditions, pyrite is far less common as an inclusion in any sodalite than it is in any lapis lazuli that you may come across. This is significant, as pyrite is a form of iron sulphide—essentially a mineral made up of iron and sulphur. Interestingly, pyrite is also an inclusion found within lazurite (the mineral that gives lapis lazuli its blue color—a property of lazurite, not the sodalite found near or with it).
Mottled Appearance and Calcite in Lapis Lazuli
Lapis lazuli can contain varying amounts of pyrite. It can also be a little mottled sometimes, which is something you see very clearly in the next photo. The mottled appearance can happen when lapis lazuli has calcite in it (which it often does). Another mineral that can look very similar to lapis, however, is sodalite. Sodalite can contain quartz, but its inclusion looks quite different from lapis with calcite. The sodalite next to lapis in the next photo very well might be the highest grade lapis on the planet.
The Aesthetics and Value of Sodalite
While sodalite can have an interesting look when it has inclusions, it is less valuable for having them. Sodalite is beautiful when it’s pure, meaning it’s a dark, rich blue with no distractions. It’s pretty when it has architectural banding to it, such as is found in this stone, but it’s really gorgeous when it has no visible seams between the different parts of the stone. Whether you’re seeing it in jewelry or in other forms, the lapis you might encounter should, in theory, be Joe Blue. If the stone doesn’t have some kind of color-grading defect, then it should be even better.
Price and Prevalence of Lapis Lazuli vs. Sodalite
The mineral sodalite is much more prevalent than lapis lazuli and can be found in numerous countries. Consequently, the commercial-grade stones are a lot cheaper. Also a lot more common are stone lapis lazuli’s inclusions of calcite, which are a lot more colorful. When comparing the two stones without knowing the context, inclusions could lead one to think that lapis was the more vibrant stone. In reality, lapis lazuli is denser than sodalite, so ounce for ounce, an equivalent-sized lapis should be a lot more colorful—and look a lot more exciting—than an equivalent-sized sodalite.