Sodalite/Blue Lace Agate

[Mithrea]

I've been looking at stone jewelry alot lately (Yule gifts :p ) and I've noticed several different jewerly makers mixing up Sodalite and Blue Lace Agate, especially on ebay. Why do you think that is? I mean, the color and structure are very different aren't they? Am I missing something?

[LorienGaia]

No, you're right on the money. Sodalite is a darker blue, while blue lace agate is light blue with swirls of white in it.
I think it's just people trying to make some money and they don't know a thing about what they're selling.
A little research, and dare I say, an attempt to learn something, is not as high of a priority as making a quick buck.

[CalliopeHellice]

A lot of people mix up Sodalite and Lapis Lazuli as well...

[LorienGaia]

To mix-up Sodalite and Lapis is an understandable mistake. They really are similar and it can be hard to tell them apart sometimes unless your holding them side-by-side to compare.

[WtchyChick13]

To mix-up Sodalite and Lapis is an understandable mistake. They really are similar and it can be hard to tell them apart sometimes unless your holding them side-by-side to compare.


Sodalite is actually a form of Lapis. However, sodalite, unlike lapis has a sort of 3-d effect to it. Kinda cool too! I've got a sphere of sodalite that is absolutely stunning in bright light. :D

Sodalite can be called many things especially by people on eBay. Having dealt there for many years, I've found that a lot of my 'prize finds' are from folks who don't realize what they have!

Example, I collect sterling rings with different stones in it. Many times, someone will mislabel the stone and mark it wayyyyyyyyyy down not knowing what they are actually dealing with. Soemtimes yes, it can be a fake. (But that's the chance you take on online auction sites.) But many times you can luck out too!

I was looking for a lapis ring and a woman who was in need of selling off her jewelry sold me a ring marked 'lapis.' She had it custom made in the 40's. Well, the jeweler she went to didn't know that what he actually gave her was a beautiful piece of navy tigers-eye! This ring was worth so much more and while I felt bad for getting it at such a bargain, I was happy to have it because at least with me, I can really appreciate it's value. I wear it almost every day now. :)



Mith, what you might try searching if you are looking for sodalite, is "blue stone" or even "denim lapis" which is also frequently mislabled sodalite.

I'm really surprised at the blue lace agate mix up though. That is my favorite stone and I use it frequently in my jewelry--but I've never seen it mixed up for sodalite. Man, some folks just don't have a clue! :lol:


Hope this helps! :)


**edited to add this**

Another mix up with sodalite is also a stone called dumotourite or dumortierite (it's spelled a few different ways). This stone is very hard to distinguish from sodalite to the naked eye. There are of course differences...dumotourite is a more consistent deep denim color that is more solid and has fewer white veins in it. It is also not 3-d like sodalite and is not as translucent as sodalite can be.

Just thought I'd throw that in there. :)

[CalliopeHellice]

I bought my first piece of this recently (plus red tiger's eye). It's so beautiful!

[LorienGaia]

Lapishttp://prod.bsis.bellsouth.net/coDataImages/p/Groups/133/133356/folders/84611/559913Lapis.jpgDumorterite http://prod.bsis.bellsouth.net/coDataImages/p/Groups/133/133356/folders/84616/559988Dumorterite.jpgSodalitehttp://prod.bsis.bellsouth.net/coDataImages/p/Groups/133/133356/folders/84611/Thumbnails/559938Sodalite1.jpg

[WtchyChick13]

Examples of Blue Lace Agate:

[zakzekezedd]

I have to look long and hard sometimes to be sure if I have a piece of sodalite or lapis lazuli. I was unaware that sodalite was indeed a form of lapis, see, you learn something everyday. I usually go to the local rock shop for serious purchases. The lady who owns it has to be in her 80s and has forgotten more about stones and crystals than most of us will ever manage to know. She is just such a delight to talk with.....

[WtchyChick13]

Good way to tell the difference:

Most lapis or good lapis has the traditional gold flecks in it that make it look like a starry nite. Those gold flecks are actually pyrite that has been formed within the stone.

Sodalite, will usually have white bands of a quartz composite running through the stone--it also many times, will have a "tiger eye" or 3-D effect if it's a good piece.

Lapis is very, very dense and sodalite is not.

Hope this helps a bit! :smooch:

[Epona44]

Lapis and sodalite are varieties of each other. Sometimes Lapis also has white quartz veins in it, along with pyrite flecks. I have such a piece. I don't think the addition of the quartz makes it a high quality stone, however, I am very fond of it.

[mystical sylph]

thank you everyone... I just bought a neckless and thought it was a lapis lazuli.... oh well i guess it's a sodalite :D