Most crystals of sodalite are too small to use in jewellery so therefore large specimens are very valuable. Sodalite is found in all shade of blue and may also be green, white or yellow. Its name is a reference to its sodium content.

Sodalite is found in regions where volcanic action was responsible for nepheline rocks being invaded from below by sodium chloride. This is what gives the mineral its deep blue colour. The blue colour is very typical of this mineral and can be confused with lazulite and lazurite.