Sodalite group
| Sodalite group | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Tectosilicate minerals |
| Group | Feldspathoid group |
| IMA status | Mineral group |
| Identification | |
| References | [1] |
The sodalite group is a mineral group of feldspathoid minerals with a zeolitic[2] crystal structure similar to that of the eponymous sodalite. In zeolite chemistry, the sodalite structure is abbreviated as SOD.
Structure
The primary structure of sodalite-group minerals is a framework of truncated octahedral aluminosilicate "cages" surrounding smaller extra-framework anions and cations that serve to balance the charge. Specific ions are characteristic of specific members of the group, with partial substitution giving rise to varities such as hackmanite.[1]
Members
The sodalite group includes the following minerals:[3]
- Haüyne — Na3Ca(Si3Al3)O12(SO4)
- Sodalite — Na4(Al3Si3)O12Cl
- Nosean — Na8(Al6Si6)O24(SO4)·H2O
- Lazurite — Na3Ca(Si3Al3)O12S
- Tsaregorodtsevite — N(CH3)4Si4(SiAl)O12
- Tugtupite — Na4BeAlSi4O12Cl
- Vladimirivanovite — Na Na6Ca2[Al6Si6O24](SO4,S3,S2,Cl)2·H2O
The characteristic blue color of sodalite-group minerals arises mainly from caged S−3 and S4 clusters.[4]
References
- ^ a b "Sodalite group". mindat.org. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
- ^ "Sodalites and Zeolites". Stein Research Group. University of Minnesota.
- ^ "IMA Mineral List – RRUFF – Comprehensive Database of Mineral Data".
- ^ Chukanov, Nikita V.; Sapozhnikov, Anatoly N.; Shendrik, Roman Yu.; Vigasina, Marina F.; Steudel, Ralf (23 November 2020). "Spectroscopic and Crystal-Chemical Features of Sodalite-Group Minerals from Gem Lazurite Deposits". Minerals. 10 (11): 1042. Bibcode:2020Mine...10.1042C. doi:10.3390/min10111042.