Beader’s dictionary
A
AZURITE (See products)
Azurite is a blue translucent stone that is not very hard. It is a copper carbonate and is named after its color, which can vary from azure-blue (sky blue) to Prussian blue. It is sometimes confused with lapis lazuli or sodalite. Countries where large deposits of azurite can be found are Australia, Chile, the United States, Mexico, Namibia and Russia.
A little bit of history: It was used in the Middle Ages in the manufacture of azure paint color. However, its color changed over time, making its pigment less popular than ultramarine blue (made from lapis lazuli).
S
SODALITE (See products)
Sodalite is a stone of a blue, white, gray color, although it can be colorless, from the family of silicates. In jewelry, it is only used in its blue color. It has a pattern of veins of white limestone. Its name comes from its sodium content. It comes from Brazil, the United States, Canada, Greenland, India, Namibia and Russia. It can sometimes be confused with lapis lazuli. Sodalite is usually cut into cabochons, beads or other objects.
