Comparison · Minerals
Dumortierite vs Sodalite
Dumortierite and Sodalite are easy to confuse because both are minerals. Dumortierite is harder (Mohs 7–8.5) than Sodalite (Mohs 5.5), so Dumortierite will scratch Sodalite and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Dumortierite and Sodalite
- Dumortierite is harder (Mohs 7–8.5) than Sodalite (Mohs 5.5), so Dumortierite will scratch Sodalite and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will.
- Dumortierite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.3–3.4 versus 2.3 for Sodalite).
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Dumortierite is Translucent to opaque, Sodalite is translucent.
- They overlap in blue, but Dumortierite also comes in purple, brown, and pink and Sodalite also comes in white and gray.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Dumortierite is Orthorhombic, Sodalite is cubic.
Dumortierite vs Sodalite properties
| Property | Dumortierite | Sodalite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 7–8.5 | 5.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous, silky when fibrous | vitreous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | Translucent to opaque | translucent |
| Specific gravity | 3.3–3.4 | 2.3 |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic | cubic |
| Common colors | Blue, Violet-blue, Brownish, Pink (rare) | Blue, Blue with white veins, Gray-Blue |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $5–$100+ |
Which is more valuable?
Typical specimens of Dumortierite and Sodalite trade in a similar range, around $20.
About Dumortierite
Dumortierite is an aluminum borosilicate mineral crystallizing in the orthorhombic system, best known for its intense blue to violet-blue color caused by trace iron and titanium substitutions. It typically forms fibrous, needle-like crystal aggregates within metamorphic rocks rich in aluminum, such as schists and gneisses subjected to high temperature and pressure. Its deep, saturated blue color has made it a popular but often misidentified substitute for lapis lazuli and sodalite in ornamental carvings.
About Sodalite
Sodalite is a rich royal blue mineral often with white calcite veining. It's sometimes confused with lapis lazuli but lacks the golden pyrite flecks.
Dumortierite vs Sodalite FAQ
Is Dumortierite the same as Sodalite?
No. Both are minerals, but they are distinct species with different hardness, streak or luster. Dumortierite is harder (Mohs 7–8.5) than Sodalite (Mohs 5.5), so Dumortierite will scratch Sodalite and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will.
How can you tell Dumortierite from Sodalite?
Dumortierite is harder (Mohs 7–8.5) than Sodalite (Mohs 5.5), so Dumortierite will scratch Sodalite and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will. Dumortierite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.3–3.4 versus 2.3 for Sodalite). Hold a thin edge to the light: Dumortierite is Translucent to opaque, Sodalite is translucent.
Which is harder, Dumortierite or Sodalite?
Dumortierite is harder: Mohs 7–8.5 against Mohs 5.5 for Sodalite.
Which is more valuable, Dumortierite or Sodalite?
Typical specimens of Dumortierite and Sodalite trade in a similar range, around $20.
