Comparison · Minerals
Hauyne vs Sodalite
Hauyne and Sodalite are easy to confuse because both are minerals. Both sit near Mohs 5.5–6, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Hauyne and Sodalite
- Both sit near Mohs 5.5–6, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Streak color differs: Hauyne leaves a pale blue streak on unglazed porcelain, Sodalite leaves white.
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Hauyne is Transparent to translucent, Sodalite is translucent.
- They overlap in blue and white, but Hauyne also comes in green and Sodalite also comes in gray.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Hauyne is Isometric, Sodalite is cubic.
Hauyne vs Sodalite properties
| Property | Hauyne | Sodalite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 5.5–6 | 5.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous to greasy | vitreous |
| Streak | Pale blue | White |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.4–2.5 | 2.3 |
| Crystal system | Isometric | cubic |
| Common colors | Blue, Sky blue, Greenish blue, White | Blue, Blue with white veins, Gray-Blue |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $5–$100+ |
Which is more valuable?
Typical specimens of Hauyne and Sodalite trade in a similar range, around $20.
About Hauyne
Hauyne, also spelled haüyne, is a sodium calcium aluminum silicate sulfate belonging to the feldspathoid group, crystallizing in the cubic system. Its vivid blue color closely resembles lazurite, the mineral primarily responsible for lapis lazuli's color, though the two form in entirely different geologic settings. It typically occurs as small, well-formed dodecahedral crystals embedded in silica-poor volcanic rock.
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.
Hauyne vs Sodalite FAQ
Is Hauyne the same as Sodalite?
No. Both are minerals, but they are distinct species with different hardness, streak or luster. Both sit near Mohs 5.5–6, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Hauyne from Sodalite?
Both sit near Mohs 5.5–6, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Streak color differs: Hauyne leaves a pale blue streak on unglazed porcelain, Sodalite leaves white. Hold a thin edge to the light: Hauyne is Transparent to translucent, Sodalite is translucent.
Which is harder, Hauyne or Sodalite?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 5.5–6.
Which is more valuable, Hauyne or Sodalite?
Typical specimens of Hauyne and Sodalite trade in a similar range, around $20.
