First described mineralogically in Greenland in 1811. Named for its high sodium content—"soda"lite.

In 1891, Princess Mary (then Duchess of York) visited Bancroft, Ontario, took a liking to the stone, and brought a large quantity back to Britain. It has been known as"Princess Blue"since. One royal's taste gave a stone a second name.

Visually close to lapis lazuli, but compositionally different. Sodalite contains no pyrite—no gold flecks. Two very similar blues, with entirely different origins.