Sodalitle Group Visible to Near-infrared Spectra (300 - 1100 nm)

The sodalites are a group of cubic aluminosilicate minerals. Their color is due to complex polymeric sulfide ions. S₃^- is responsible for the blue color commonly observed in many members of the sodalite group.

Visible Spectra (400 - 800 nm)

Haüyne, (Na,K)₃(Ca,Na)(Al₃Si₃O₁₂)(SO₄,S,Cl)

• Haüyne , from (Eifel, Rhineland-Palatinate?) Germany. Normalized to 10.0 cm. Colored by polymeric sulfide ions. Data File: Contributed data from Anton Vasiliev, LAL, Moscow: haüyne_Germany , 25 K. Picture: haüyne, Eifel, Germany, GRR 2029.
• Haüyne, GRR 3772. Reinland Palatinate, Germany. 1.10 mm thick blue color . Data file
• Haüyne, from Mendig (Eifel Region), Germany. 1.243 mm thick, blue color. Data file: Contributed data from Janet Harvey, Santa Monica, CA, Haüyne J1, 22 K. Picture: haüyne, Mendig, Germany, 550 K.

Lazurite, Na₇Ca(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(SO₄)(S₃) · H₂O

• lazurite, GRR 2135. Blue crystals from Badakhstan, Afghanistan.
  
• lazurite, CIT 11358. Blue lapis lazuli containing lazurite from Andes of Ovalle, Coquimbo, Chile

Sodalite, Na₄(Si₃Al₃)O₁₂Cl

• Sodalite, GRR 1945 from (Ontario, Canada?). 4.11 mm thick with dark blue color. Colored by polymeric sulfide ions. Data File: sodalite1945.
• Sodalite, GRR 2156, from near Mogok, Myanmar; variety hackmanite in the lavender state. This sample changes color from a pale pink in darkness to vivid reddish-lavender upon exposure to sunlight. Data File: sodalite 2156.

Tugtupite, Na₄BeAlSi₄O₁₂Cl

• Tugtupite, GRR 153; red tugtupite from, from Kvanefjeld, Ilimaussaq, Greenland. 0.4 mm thick sample, unoriented. Data File: tugtupite153.  The S₄ molecule is believed to be the species responsible for the red color.

Link to references about the spectra of sodalite group members

  Back to the list of minerals

 Back to the Index of Data Files