Sodalite group
Boxtextcolorwhite
Boxbgcolordarkblue
CategoryTectosilicate minerals
GroupFeldspathoid group
ImastatusMineral group
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.[citation needed]

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]

The characteristic blue color of sodalite-group minerals arises mainly from caged S3- and S4 clusters.[4]

References

  1. ^
  2. ^ "Sodalites and Zeolites". Stein Research Group. University of Minnesota.
  3. ^ "IMA Mineral List – RRUFF – Comprehensive Database of Mineral Data"
  4. ^ 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