An important group of silicate minerals belonging to the feldspathoids and including sodalite Na₈[Al₆Si₆O₂₄]Cl₂, nosean, haüyne, cancrinite, lazurite, and scapolite; sp. gr. 2.27–2.88; hardness 5.5–6.0; greyish to bluish, yellow; occurs as rhombohedra or massive; vitreous lustre; occurs in nepheline-syenites in association with nepheline and fluorite, and in metasomatized (see metasomatism) calcareous rocks near alkaline igneous intrusions.