Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. ~Albert Einstein
Not discovered until 1806, Sodalite really isn’t a gemstone at all. It’s typically a rich blue mineral stone named from the Greek for “salt stone” because of its sodium content.
Sodalite also appears in gray, purple, orange, or yellow — often with white veining from traces of calcite.
Thanks to crystaldictionary.com for this photo of tumbled Sodalite
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. ~Albert Einstein
Ancient Romans carved intaglio seals with it. The Chinese used it for making snuff boxes and an early form of sunglasses. The Swiss, Germans, and Austrians used crucifixes made from it to protect against bad luck and evil.
What is “it”?
Smoky Quartz.
Photo courtesy of Mid-Georgia Gem and Mineral Society