Blue crystals have a way of capturing attention instantly, and few stones cause as much confusion as sodalite and lapis lazuli. They can look strikingly similar at first glance, especially when polished or used in jewelry. Because of this, people often ask the same question: How do you actually tell them apart?
If you’ve ever been told, “Just look for pyrite,” you’re not alone. While that advice isn’t wrong, it’s also not the full story. In this guide, we’ll look at the real differences between sodalite and lapis lazuli in a clear, practical way—without relying on a single myth or shortcut.
The Pyrite Myth: Helpful, But Not Definitive
One of the most common tips you’ll hear is that pyrite equals lapis lazuli, and no pyrite means sodalite. Pyrite, with its brassy gold sparkle, does appear in many lapis stones, and spotting it can indeed confirm that a stone is lapis.
However, the mistake happens when people assume the opposite is always true. Not all lapis lazuli contains pyrite. Some genuine lapis pieces—especially certain raw specimens—show no visible pyrite at all. So while pyrite can confirm lapis, its absence does not automatically mean the stone is sodalite.
This is why it’s important to look at multiple characteristics rather than relying on just one visual clue.
Mineral Structure: One Is a Mineral, the Other Is Not
One of the most fundamental differences between these stones lies beneath the surface.
Sodalite is a true mineral, meaning it has a repeating and organized crystal structure.
Lapis lazuli, on the other hand, is a rock, specifically a breccia, made up of multiple minerals fused together.
The deep blue color of lapis comes mainly from lazurite, which is its primary component. The second most common mineral in lapis is not pyrite, but white calcite. Calcite often appears as pale streaks or cloudy areas running through the stone.
When lazurite blends with calcite, it creates lighter shades of blue, sometimes called denim lapis. This natural blending is what gives lapis its wide range of blue tones and organic patterns.
Color Differences: Royal Blue vs Cooler Blue
Color is another helpful indicator once you know what to look for.
Even at its brightest, sodalite tends to appear slightly cooler and less intense than lapis lazuli. Lapis often has a rich, royal blue tone that feels deeper and more saturated.
Sodalite commonly shows black or very dark inclusions, even in higher-quality pieces. Lapis typically does not show black mineral patches. Instead, lower-grade lapis is more likely to display white calcite streaks, though high-grade lapis can appear almost solid blue.
Hardness: A Subtle but Useful Clue
On the Mohs hardness scale, the two stones sit close together, but there is a small difference.
Sodalite generally falls between 5.5 and 6, while lapis lazuli ranges from 5 to 5.5. In theory, a hardness level of 6 would scratch lapis more easily than sodalite. In practice, this test can vary depending on how much calcite or other minerals are present in a specific piece, so it’s best used as a supporting indicator rather than a final answer.
For reference, you can explore Mohs hardness standards through the Geological Society of America or similar mineralogy resources.
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Streak Test: One of the Clearest Differences
If you have access to a porcelain streak plate, this test can be very revealing.
When rubbed against the plate, sodalite leaves a white streak, while lapis lazuli leaves a blue streak. This difference comes directly from their internal composition and is one of the most reliable ways to distinguish them when working with raw or unpolished stones.
