What is more expensive: sodalite or lapis lazuli?
Lapis lazuli is a blue mineral. His palette includes shades from light blue to rich blue and almost purple. This is a fairly rare mineral, but it is found in vintage jewelry.
Nature of origin
The blue color of lapis lazuli comes from sulfur anions. The more there are, the deeper and more saturated the shade of blue. Sometimes silvery or golden inclusions of pyrite are found in the mineral – it looks like small sparkles, stars. The most expensive lapis lazuli is dark blue or blue-violet with golden inclusions of pyrite. These are stones of high jewelry quality and are mined only in Afghanistan, the oldest deposit. From there, lapis lazuli spread throughout the world through intricate trade routes in ancient times. Lapis lazuli is also called lapis lazuli, that is, “blue stone” from the Persian language. The modern name “lapis lazuli” was established in the 18th century. Lapis lazuli traditionally refers to only lapis lazuli of the highest jewelry quality with a uniform, rich color. This is a fairly soft mineral. Its hardness on the Mohs scale is only 5.5. For comparison: the hardness of sapphire is 9. 
There are not many deposits in the world; they are all small. Jewelry-quality examples are rare. In addition to Afghanistan, lapis lazuli is also mined in Russia (in the Southern Baikal region), North and South America and Tajikistan (Pamir). At the same time, it is in the Pamirs that the lightest, pale blue lapis lazuli is mined, but it is valued lower. 
Along with agate, morion, malachite, rock crystal, rose quartz and other minerals, lapis lazuli is considered a semi-precious ornamental stone of the first order. Since lapis lazuli is opaque, it is most often given the shape of a cabochon, drop or plate. Plates are used for mosaic and facing work, cabochons are used in jewelry. The mineral is also used to make vases, figurines and other applied products. Lapis lazuli looks great not only as an accent insert, but also in combination with other stones. Especially with malachite, coral and turquoise. They create a vibrant natural palette with unexpected contrasts. Powdered lapis lazuli has long been used as a natural pigment – ultramarine. In tempera, watercolors, and also in oil paints. This pigment has been used in oriental manuscripts and paintings since the 1820th century. Medieval painters and miniaturists depicted the sky and sky-blue background with it. Paints based on the natural pigment ultramarine were used until the XNUMXs. After that, it was replaced by less expensive artificial analogues. 
Similar minerals: lasulite, sodalite and dumortierite
Lapis lazuli is the most popular blue mineral, but not the only one. There is also lazulite, sodalite and dumortierite. A stone with a similar name – lazulite. A not very famous blue stone. Varies from transparent to opaque (lapis lazuli is only opaque). Belongs to feldspars (lapis lazuli belongs to silicates). Lazulite gets its blue color from iron, lapis lazuli from sulfur. No large deposits of lazulite have yet been found. The next blue mineral resembles an aerial photo of the depths of the sea. This sodalite. It comes in white, blue, gray and varies from opaque to transparent. Blue sodalite often has white calcite veins. Like lapis lazuli, it also belongs to silicates. The stone became known in Europe at the beginning of the 19th century. 
Dumortierite – the hardest among this list – 7-8,5 on the Mohs scale. The rest were 5-6. It can be blue, blue-violet, brown, colorless. This is aluminum borosilicate. It was discovered in 1881 in the French Alps. But it is also found on other continents. 
Deception and fakes
Being a rare, popular and relatively expensive mineral, lapis lazuli is often counterfeited. Counterfeits come in different quality and origin. Pale, cheap lapis lazuli is dyed a deep blue and sold as high-quality lapis lazuli at a high price. This is not considered a fake, it is one of the types of ennoblement. The mineral remains natural, but humans improve its visual qualities in accessible ways (coloring, irradiation, stabilization, etc.). It is quite difficult to understand that a mineral has been refined if you do not have the appropriate skills, qualifications and equipment. 
Sometimes even plastic can be passed off as natural lapis lazuli. As with other minerals, glass and enamel are used to imitate lapis lazuli. Such inserts can look quite convincing, especially if they are small. But shine and an overly smooth surface always reveal a fake. If you want to purchase jewelry with lapis lazuli, take a close look at the stone. Look at it slowly, preferably with a good 10x loupe in natural light. Natural stone will show different shades in natural and artificial light. The color and shade of the fake will remain identical, regardless of changes in lighting. The imitation is also well characterized by a mirror-like shine, surface smoothness, and ideal color uniformity. If the stone is large enough, it can also be alarming.
Care and storage
As we mentioned above, lapis lazuli is a relatively soft mineral. Therefore, chips, cracks and other damage are possible not only when wearing, but also when storing lapis lazuli in the same box with other products from friction against each other. Therefore, it is recommended to store jewelry with this mineral either in separate boxes or in a soft fabric bag. 
Frequent and prolonged water treatments for lapis lazuli are not recommended, as its color may fade and become less saturated. You should first remove jewelry with lapis lazuli before washing your hands, etc. When it comes to care, lapis lazuli is a non-standard mineral. Unlike many other gems, it is not afraid of the sun and bright rays.
If the decoration requires cleaning, it can be gently cleaned with a soft brush and laundry soap, then rinsed with running water. However, it is not recommended to do this too often. 
Name of the stone sodalite comes from the English word soda – sodium and the Greek lithos – stone. Other names for the mineral: hackmanite, alomite. Sodalite is a chlorinated sodium aluminosilicate. This is a mysterious and quite rare semi-precious stone. How and where is it formed Sodalite found in alkaline igneous rocks and pegmatites, most often in granular masses. Transparent crystals of the mineral are found quite rarely and therefore they are in great demand among collectors. The most prized are purple and blue sodalite samples, which attract the eye with their rich color.
Sodalite is a rather rare stone, but despite this it often forms large deposits. 
Physicochemical characteristics Chemical formula – 3Na2O•3Al2O3•6SiO2•2NaCl Shine – glass Color – blue, white, pink, gray, green Transparency – transparent, translucent Hardness – 6 on the Mohs scale Density – 2,29 g / cm3 Varieties The variety containing sulfur is known as hackmanite. Place of Birth Sodalite is mined in areas of volcanic rock development, for example on the Kola Peninsula in Russia, in the Vesuvius region in Italy, as well as in mountainous areas in Portugal, Germany, Romania, India, Norway, Canada, USA, Brazil. 
Application and Use Today, translucent sodalites, usually blue, are used to create jewelry of all price categories; sodalites of other colors become an ornamental material for small decorative items – figurines, stands for bronze sculptures, stone balls and eggs, stone mosaic details. Sodalite is especially popular as a material for religious objects – for example, Buddhist figurines. Sodalite is also used for industrial purposes – in radio electronics and television. How to distinguish real from fake As a rule, sodalite itself is often passed off as lapis lazuli (both intentionally and out of ignorance), since it is cheaper. In beads and other inexpensive jewelry, slightly translucent sodalite is found much more often than lapis lazuli. Unlike lapis lazuli, the mineral sodalite does not contain sulfur ions and occurs in the form of an array of intergrown crystals. Sodalite has a more glassy luster and can be somewhat translucent compared to lapis lazuli (lapis lazuli is not translucent at all). Lapis lazuli is often associated with pyrite (golden colored inclusions), but sodalite is not. If there is any doubt whether a mineral is sodalite or lapis lazuli, it is better to consult an independent specialist, since lapis lazuli is valued higher and is often more expensive than sodalite. 
Medicinal properties Sodalite relieves diseases caused by increased radiation. In some countries, it is believed that blue minerals normalize blood pressure, regulate cardiac activity, reduce appetite and help with liver diseases. There is an opinion that beads and bracelets made from blue sodalite reduce nervous tension and relieve insomnia and nightmares. Sodalite is also useful for the prevention of eye diseases. Sodalite normalizes the functioning of the endocrine and lymphatic systems, normalizes metabolism. It has a particularly powerful effect on the thyroid gland – it treats diseases associated with it: inflammation, goiter, Graves’ disease. Sodalite neutralizes the effects of excessive solar or radioactive exposure, and when placed on a sore spot, sodalite draws out tension and discomfort and even promotes the resorption of tumors. Sodalite lowers blood and arterial pressure, regulates cardiac activity, and reduces appetite. It treats kidneys, infectious diseases, bladder and pancreas. In addition, wearing sodalite strengthens bone tissue, and daily contemplation of a product made of blue or blue stone is an excellent prevention of eye diseases. Magical properties In magic sodalite used as a tool that can develop supernatural abilities in a person. Modern practicing magicians and mediums use it for meditation. Women are advised to wear sodalite beads to become more attractive. For men, the stone helps them quickly and accurately understand difficult situations and put their thoughts in order. 
Talismans and amulets Sodalite – a talisman for businessmen, scientists, teachers, practicing magicians and mediums. The talisman can be a product made from this stone or a small piece of unprocessed mineral. It gives its owner the opportunity to better understand the world around him, helps to find harmony and attracts success and universal sympathy. An amulet in the form of a sodalite pendant helps its owner get rid of unjustified fears, develops intuition and helps to understand the essence of things. Sodalite – a stone of courage, it develops intelligence and prudence, strengthens will and endurance, helps to focus on the main goal and persistently move along the chosen path. If you keep a piece of blue sodalite or a rough piece of stone at home, it will become an indicator of impending danger by changing color. Sodalite helps its owner better understand the world around him, find inner harmony, and also develops intuition up to supernatural abilities. Modern mediums use it to achieve a meditative state and call it the “third eye stone.” 
Astrologically, sodalite is most suitable for those born from April 21 to May 21, from November 21 to 30, and also on the 12th lunar day. However, representatives of any zodiac sign can use its energy. Its influence is strongest on Thursdays and Fridays, the planetary associations are Venus and Jupiter. The choice of type of decoration with sodalite. The gem has a powerful healing effect on the spiritual and mental areas: it treats diseases caused by psychological and mental overstrain, stress, smoothes out overflowing emotions, relieves anger and fear, and removes obsessive feelings of guilt. It is used for neuroses, depression, headaches, and mental illnesses. It relaxes and calms, it is very useful for people who are sensitive and prone to self-flagellation. Beads and bracelets made of blue sodalite relieve their owner from insomnia and nightmares. History and legends History sodalite dark – in Europe sodalite first became known only in the last few centuries, and the stone was first described in literature in 1811. Neither Pliny nor Herodotus mention sodalite, and it is not in the medieval “Lapidaries” – and this despite the fact that that it was known to the ancient Incas in South America, who lined the walls and floors of houses with it, carved jewelry and sculpture from it, and extracted ultramarine blue mineral paint from sodalite powder. For some reason, the Spanish conquerors passed by sodalite – this only benefited the stone, because otherwise its already not great natural reserves would have been completely depleted by today. Best regards, Katerina (Napoleonka)
