HOWLITE GEMSTONE
HOWLITE GEMSTONE
Howlite derives its name from the Canadian chemist, geologist and mineralogist Henry How, who in 1868 discovered it in Nova Scotia.
Howlite is also known and sold as White Turquoise, and as The Sacred Buffalo Stone, or The White Buffalo Stone.
Howlite is of a calcium borosilicate hydroxide chemical composition. It occurs with a monoclinic, prismatic crystal structure.
Howlite is of a milky white or grey color. It looks similar to white marble or porcelain with a glimmering luster. The difference is that Howlite very porous. It comes often dispersed with grey, black or brown veins running through it. It can also be pure white or come intermingled with its dark matrix (note, it is the veins that are the matrix, surrounding stone).
Howlite has a hardness of 3.5 on the Mohs scale. Its transparency is opaque and has a sub-vitreous (glimmering) luster.
Howlite shows a brownish-yellow fluorescence.
Howlite is a borate mineral that forms in irregular masses that looks similar in shape to a cauliflower head.
Though Howlite's clarity is opaque with a sub-vitreous (glimmering) luster, it also occurs in a transparent crystal form, but this is extremely rare. Usually, these transparent Howlite crystals occur no less than 1cm long. Howlite nodules, on the other hand, can occur in masses of over 50 kilograms.
Howlite is very porous. Therefore, it can be dyed or treated resulting in a look very similar to Turquoise (hardness of 5-6), red Coral (precious Coral has hardness 3.5 on the Mohs scale), or Lapis Lazuli (Mohs scale hardness: 5–5.5).
‘Turquenite’ is the dyed Howlite. The dyed Howlite is often coated with resin in order to make it harder and conceal the dye. Howlite sold as Howlite, is untreated.
Because it has no cleavage, Howlite is usually cut en cabochon. It is also fashioned into spheres, egg shapes, ovals, pear shapes or fancy shapes. It can also be tumbled and drilled and fashioned into beautiful beads and or made into beautiful ornamental objects such as globes or fancy animal shapes. Howlite gemstones are also fashioned into the distinguishing bolo ties, also known as "bootlace ties" or into gorgeous beaded necklaces and bracelets and unique pendants.
Howlite is a calming stone and it can help reduce levels of stress and anger in the wearer as well as anger that is directed at him. It absorbs negative energy and its calming qualities are thought to also help reduce insomnia as it relieves and unburdens an overactive mind.
In terms of physical healing powers, it’s said that Howlite can help to balance calcium levels and strengthen its wearer’s bones and teeth.
It is also believed that Howlite can help the wearer remember his or her previous lives. In order to do this, it is recommended to place a Howlite stone in the Third Eye Chakra which is in between the brows.
Howlite is a non-traditional stone for those born under the zodiacal sign of Gemini.
Due to its low hardness and porosity, Howlite can be easily scratched. It can also be dissolved in hydrochloric acid, and thus, it is recommended that harsh household chemical cleaners should be avoided.
Try to avoid wiping dust off from Howlite stones as dust contains traces of quartz which with a hardness of 7 as compared to Howlite's 3.5, may scratch its surface and eventually reduce its polish.
To clean Howlite simply use soap and water with a soft cloth. Rinse well and remove all soapy residue.
Howlite deposits can be found in Canada, in the United States such as the State California and also in the city of Los Angeles. California is the main source of Howlite. Other deposits of Howlite have also being found in Turkey, Germany, Mexico and Russia. The extremely rare transparent Howlite can only be found in two places Tick Canyon in California and Iona in Nova Scotia.
Howlite derives its name from the Canadian chemist, geologist and mineralogist Henry How, who in 1868 discovered it in Nova Scotia.
Howlite is also known and sold as White Turquoise, and as The Sacred Buffalo Stone, or The White Buffalo Stone.
Howlite is of a calcium borosilicate hydroxide chemical composition. It occurs with a monoclinic, prismatic crystal structure.
Howlite is of a milky white or grey color. It looks similar to white marble or porcelain with a glimmering luster. The difference is that Howlite very porous. It comes often dispersed with grey, black or brown veins running through it. It can also be pure white or come intermingled with its dark matrix (note, it is the veins that are the matrix, surrounding stone).
Howlite has a hardness of 3.5 on the Mohs scale. Its transparency is opaque and has a sub-vitreous (glimmering) luster.
Howlite shows a brownish-yellow fluorescence.
Howlite is a borate mineral that forms in irregular masses that looks similar in shape to a cauliflower head.
Though Howlite's clarity is opaque with a sub-vitreous (glimmering) luster, it also occurs in a transparent crystal form, but this is extremely rare. Usually, these transparent Howlite crystals occur no less than 1cm long. Howlite nodules, on the other hand, can occur in masses of over 50 kilograms.
Howlite is very porous. Therefore, it can be dyed or treated resulting in a look very similar to Turquoise (hardness of 5-6), red Coral (precious Coral has hardness 3.5 on the Mohs scale), or Lapis Lazuli (Mohs scale hardness: 5–5.5).
‘Turquenite’ is the dyed Howlite. The dyed Howlite is often coated with resin in order to make it harder and conceal the dye. Howlite sold as Howlite, is untreated.
Because it has no cleavage, Howlite is usually cut en cabochon. It is also fashioned into spheres, egg shapes, ovals, pear shapes or fancy shapes. It can also be tumbled and drilled and fashioned into beautiful beads and or made into beautiful ornamental objects such as globes or fancy animal shapes. Howlite gemstones are also fashioned into the distinguishing bolo ties, also known as "bootlace ties" or into gorgeous beaded necklaces and bracelets and unique pendants.
Howlite is a calming stone and it can help reduce levels of stress and anger in the wearer as well as anger that is directed at him. It absorbs negative energy and its calming qualities are thought to also help reduce insomnia as it relieves and unburdens an overactive mind.
In terms of physical healing powers, it’s said that Howlite can help to balance calcium levels and strengthen its wearer’s bones and teeth.
It is also believed that Howlite can help the wearer remember his or her previous lives. In order to do this, it is recommended to place a Howlite stone in the Third Eye Chakra which is in between the brows.
Howlite is a non-traditional stone for those born under the zodiacal sign of Gemini.
Due to its low hardness and porosity, Howlite can be easily scratched. It can also be dissolved in hydrochloric acid, and thus, it is recommended that harsh household chemical cleaners should be avoided.
Try to avoid wiping dust off from Howlite stones as dust contains traces of quartz which with a hardness of 7 as compared to Howlite's 3.5, may scratch its surface and eventually reduce its polish.
To clean Howlite simply use soap and water with a soft cloth. Rinse well and remove all soapy residue.
Howlite deposits can be found in Canada, in the United States such as the State California and also in the city of Los Angeles. California is the main source of Howlite. Other deposits of Howlite have also being found in Turkey, Germany, Mexico and Russia. The extremely rare transparent Howlite can only be found in two places Tick Canyon in California and Iona in Nova Scotia.