Sodalite - 8-Inch

Frequently asked questions

• What is an 8-inch sodalite strand for?

  An 8-inch strand is the bracelet-market cut of the same sodalite Dakota sells in 16-inch design strands. One 8-inch length is sized to finish a single stretch bracelet on most adult wrists with minimal waste, where a 16-inch strand is built for necklaces, multi-wrap designs, or larger production runs. If you're making bracelets one or two at a time, the 8-inch saves you cutting a longer strand in half and gives a cleaner inventory count per finished piece. Cut, drilling, and material match the 16-inch parent collection — the only difference is strand length.
• How many sodalite beads come on an 8-inch strand?

  Bead count depends on diameter and drill-hole spacing, but the working estimates are: roughly 50 beads at 4mm, about 33 at 6mm, around 25 at 8mm, and roughly 20 at 10mm. Faceted rondelles and plain rondelles run higher counts than rounds at the same nominal size because the bead is shorter along the drill axis. Exact counts per SKU should be disclosed — confirm before buying if you're sizing a production run tight to the strand. For a standard 7–7.5 inch finished stretch bracelet, one 8-inch strand of 8mm rounds is the typical one-strand-one-bracelet ratio.
• What jewelry works best with 8-inch sodalite strands?

  Single-strand stretch bracelets on elastic cord are the most common use — 8mm rounds are the default size, with 6mm for slimmer wrists or layering and 10mm for statement pieces. The 4mm and 6mm rondelles work well as spacers between larger focal beads or in memory-wire wrap bracelets. Sodalite's deep blue with white calcite veining stacks cleanly against lighter blue stones (aquamarine, blue lace agate, amazonite) and against white or cream stones (howlite, moonstone, mother of pearl) for contrast stacks. For multi-strand cuffs, buy two or three matching 8-inch strands rather than dividing a 16-inch.
• Does Dakota carry sodalite in 16-inch strands too?

  Yes. The 16-inch parent collection is at dakotastones.com/collections/sodalite-gemstone-beads and carries the same sodalite material in a wider range of sizes, cuts, and shapes — including larger rounds, faceted cuts, and specialty shapes that aren't always stocked in the 8-inch assortment. If you're making necklaces, designing for production, or need a cut not listed on the 8-inch page, check the 16-inch collection. Material and grading are the same between the two collections; only strand length differs.
• What cuts of sodalite come in 8-inch strands?

  The current 8-inch sodalite assortment runs to rounds, plain rondelles, and faceted rondelles, with rounds being the most stocked cut across 4mm, 6mm, 8mm, and 10mm. Sodalite is a softer stone (Mohs 5.5–6) than quartz-family beads, so it takes a clean polish on rounds and a crisp edge on faceted rondelles without the chipping you sometimes see on harder materials. Color runs from medium royal blue to deep navy with white calcite veining — vein pattern varies bead to bead. Any treatment or stabilization should be disclosed; ask before buying if it isn't specified.