Sodalite became well known in Canada after being discovered in Ontario in 1891. In fact, sodalite is sometimes referred to as “Princess Blue” because during a royal visit in 1901, the Princess of Wales (later Queen Mary) admired it and had it imported for use in decorating Marlborough House in London.

Named for its high sodium content (from Greek soda + lithos, “sodium stone”).

Found worldwide, with notable deposits in Canada (Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia), Brazil, Namibia, Russia, Greenland, and Bolivia. The Royal Blue variety from Bancroft, Ontario, is famous and sometimes called Princess Blue.