Sodalite 15.2ct octagon cabochon

A wide rectangular octagon cabochon with a deep navy blue body showing characteristic grey mottling, scattered white-grey calcite patches, and small spots of natural orange-rust iron staining. The surface has a high-gloss mirror polish. The body color is a deep, saturated navy that lightens into grey tones in the calcite zones, and the combination of blue, grey, and rust makes this the most visually varied of the three pieces.

Sodalite from India presents in rich blue tones naturally intergrown with white calcite, as is typical of the material worldwide. The orange-rust spotting is natural iron oxidation within the rock, a standard characteristic of sodalite. At a hardness of 5.5 to 6, sodalite is well suited to pendants, earrings, and any bezel setting where the stone is protected from hard impact; for daily-wear rings, a setting that shields the stone's edges is advisable.

• Stone type: Natural sodalite
• Weight: 15.2ct
• Size: 22.7x15mm
• Color: Deep blue
• Cut: Octagon cabochon
• Clarity: Opaque
• Hardness: 5.5–6 (Mohs)
• Treatment: Untreated
• Origin: India

Natural sodalite, deep blue octagon cabochon, India, sold loose.