Sodalite group

Sodalite group
Sodalite group
General
Category	Tectosilicate minerals
Group	Feldspathoid group
IMA status	Mineral group
Identification
References

The sodalite group is a mineral group of feldspathoid minerals with a zeolitic crystal structure similar to that of the eponymous sodalite. In zeolite chemistry, the sodalite structure is abbreviated as SOD.^{[citation needed]}

Structure

The primary structure of sodalite-group minerals is a framework of truncated octahedral aluminosilicate "cages" surrounding smaller extra-framework anions and cations that serve to balance the charge. Specific ions are characteristic of specific members of the group, with partial substitution giving rise to varities such as hackmanite.

Members

The sodalite group includes the following minerals:

Haüyne — Na₃Ca(Si₃Al₃)O₁₂(SO₄)
Sodalite — Na₄(Al₃Si₃)O₁₂Cl
Nosean — Na₈(Al₆Si₆)O₂₄(SO₄)·H₂O
Lazurite — Na₃Ca(Si₃Al₃)O₁₂S
Tsaregorodtsevite — N(CH₃)₄Si₄(SiAl)O₁₂
Tugtupite — Na₄BeAlSi₄O₁₂Cl
Vladimirivanovite — Na Na₆Ca₂[Al₆Si₆O₂₄](SO₄,S₃,S₂,Cl)₂·H₂O

The characteristic blue color of sodalite-group minerals arises mainly from caged S−3 and S₄ clusters.

References

1 2 "Sodalite group". mindat.org. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
↑ "Sodalites and Zeolites". Stein Research Group. University of Minnesota.
↑ "IMA Mineral List – RRUFF – Comprehensive Database of Mineral Data".
↑ Chukanov, Nikita V.; Sapozhnikov, Anatoly N.; Shendrik, Roman Yu.; Vigasina, Marina F.; Steudel, Ralf (23 November 2020). "Spectroscopic and Crystal-Chemical Features of Sodalite-Group Minerals from Gem Lazurite Deposits". Minerals. 10 (11): 1042. Bibcode:2020Mine...10.1042C. doi:10.3390/min10111042.

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[mindat-1] 1 2 "Sodalite group". mindat.org. Retrieved 2026-04-02.

[2] "Sodalites and Zeolites". Stein Research Group. University of Minnesota.

[IMA-3] "IMA Mineral List – RRUFF – Comprehensive Database of Mineral Data".

[4] Chukanov, Nikita V.; Sapozhnikov, Anatoly N.; Shendrik, Roman Yu.; Vigasina, Marina F.; Steudel, Ralf (23 November 2020). "Spectroscopic and Crystal-Chemical Features of Sodalite-Group Minerals from Gem Lazurite Deposits". Minerals. 10 (11): 1042. Bibcode:2020Mine...10.1042C. doi:10.3390/min10111042.