RocksdayHaüyne vs Sodalite
How to tell them apart
Brilliant blue grains found in some volcanic rocks — among the most vivid blues in nature.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky, CC BY-SA 3.0
A royal-blue feldspathoid mineral, usually massive with white veins, and a popular tumbled stone.
Photo: Ra'ike (see also: de:Benutzer:Ra'ike), CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick tests
- Streak (rub on unglazed porcelain): Haüyne leaves a pale blue streak; Sodalite leaves white.
Key differences
- Sodalite is massive, royal blue and veined with white.
Side by side
| Property | Haüyne | Sodalite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Mineral | Mineral |
| Mohs hardness | 5.5–6 | 5.5–6 |
| Luster | Vitreous | Vitreous to greasy |
| Streak | Pale blue | White |
| Colors | Blue | Blue, White |
| Crystal system | Cubic | Cubic |
| Specific gravity | 2.44–2.5 | 2.27–2.33 |
| Formula | (Na,Ca)₄₋₈Al₆Si₆(O,S)₂₄(SO₄,Cl)₁₋₂ | Na₈(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)Cl₂ |
| Found in | Eifel, Germany; Monte Vulture, Italy | Bancroft, Ontario; Bahia, Brazil |
Properties that are the same for both are grayed out.
How to identify haüyne
- Tiny electric-blue grains in volcanic rock.
- Rarely larger than a few millimeters.
- Hardness about 6.
Crystal system: Cubic
Full Haüyne guide →How to identify sodalite
- Royal blue with white veins or patches.
- Glows orange under longwave UV light.
- Hardness about 6.
- Light for a blue stone.
Crystal system: Cubic
Full Sodalite guide →More comparisons
Could you tell them apart from a blurry close-up?
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