Richly Colored Sodalite var. Hackmanite - Afghanistan

Contributed by: Mark Cole
Date: Apr 10th, 2026
Locality: Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan (See on Mindat)
Size: 4 x 3 x 4.5 inches
Weight: 1.94 lb

Description:
Sodalite / Hackmanite, with richterite, calcite and a few unknowns. Very unusual fluorescent responses, tenebrescent, phosphorescent - Gemmy

Large specimen with gemmy crystals of sodalite and richterite. The sodalite has varying responses to all wavelengths with a beautiful pink response under a combination of SW and LW. It is very tenebrescent, darkening to a deep purple in seconds. Unlike Greenland hackmanite, it can take a long time to fade back (time depends on the intensity of the light source).

The richterite has a creamy yellow response to all wavelengths, and well-formed crystals. There appears to be a large crystal of calcite on the bottoms and sides (dull red).

The sodalite is amazingly phosphorescent. Both the sodalite and the richterite are gemmy and quite translucent.

Originally posted by Mark Cole on Nature's Rainbows in 2017.