What on Earth Is Howlite?

Howlite is a white, grey-veined borate mineral found in evaporite deposits, first described in 1868 by Canadian chemist Henry How. Its cauliflower-like nodules polish up into beads, cabochons and carvings, and it is often dyed blue as a turquoise look-alike. Here is how it is used in howlite pieces for a shop.

The Physical Properties of Howlite

It's rare to find crystals of howlite, which score a 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. The nodules in which it forms resemble cauliflower heads. They're most often white with black or gray veins, and opaque. Howlite is common for cabochons, beads, and other jewelry components, as well as decorative objects and carvings.

When dyed blue, it resembles turquoise, which is why it is sometimes a turquoise substitute. Thanks to its white color, it's easily dyed, and often waxed as well. It lacks regular cleavage and has sub-vitreous luster. It can be fluorescent, emitting orange glow with shortwave UV light and brownish-yellow radiance with long-wave UV light.

The History of Howlite

In 1868, Henry How went to Windsor, Nova Scotia to examine an unknown mineral found by miners in the gypsum quarry. It turned out to be howlite, or silico-boro-calcite as he called it initially before it was renamed to howlite by James Dwight Dana. The borate mineral is in Canada and parts of the United States. Most of it comes from California and Los Angeles, with known deposits in Turkey, Mexico, Russia, and Germany. As for the crystals, they have only been found on two locations so far ” Iona, Nova Scotia and Tick Canyon, California.

The Lore of Howlite

Since it was discovered relatively recently, there are no legends surrounding howlite.

The Metaphysical Properties of Howlite

Howlite is best known in crystal lore as a stone of self-awareness, creativity and patience. It is often connected with good manners and character building.

Crystal writers associate it with patience and a calmer outlook. Some people place it under the pillow when they keep a dream journal or practise lucid dreaming.

Because it takes dye and polish so well, howlite also turns up in pendulums and in gemstone beads for jewellery making.

It's often used to stimulate the third eye chakra ” when placed over it, it's said to unlock memories of previous lives. Howlite is also thought to work well with the crown and heart chakra as symbols of cleansing the aura.

It's a soft white stone with a calm look, available as tumbled stones as well as beads, and a worthy addition to any gem collection.