Howlite
The White-Veined Calm of Night
Also known as: False Turquoise
About the stone
Howlite is a white calcium borosilicate mineral, usually marked with gray veins, that commonly forms rounded nodules in gypsum deposits. It was scientifically described in 1868 by Henry How after quarry workers near Windsor, Nova Scotia, brought the unfamiliar material to his attention; he called it silico-boro-calcite, and James Dwight Dana later named it howlite in his honor. Sources include Nova Scotia and other parts of eastern Canada, California, Nevada, Mexico, and Turkey. It is sometimes misleadingly sold as white turquoise or white buffalo turquoise, although it is not turquoise, and dyed blue howlite is widely used as a turquoise imitation. Its lore is modern rather than documented ancient tradition: crystal practitioners associate it with calm, patience, and emotional balance.
Mineral data
- Chemical composition: Howlite is a calcium borosilicate hydroxide mineral, Ca2B5SiO9(OH)5, found in evaporite deposits and usually seen as white nodules with fine gray or black veins.
- Hardness: 3 to 3.5 on the Mohs scale.
- Color: White with fine black to gray weblike veins; rare crystals are colorless and translucent to transparent.
- Specific gravity: 2.45-2.58
- Refractive index: 1.586-1.605
Metaphysical data
Howlite, recognized as an exceptionally calming stone, has been utilized in metaphysical practices to ease anger, teach patience and quiet an overactive mind.
Calming and Patient Energy
- Howlite is an extremely calming stone, believed to teach patience and to quiet the tension that builds during long or stressful days.
- It is said to absorb anger and negative energy projections, giving the user breathing room before reacting to difficult situations.
Emotional Healing
- The stone is often used to eliminate rage and uncontrolled anger, and to help overcome criticalness and selfishness.
- It calms turbulent emotions, especially those with past-life causes and present-life triggers, releasing the strings that tie old anger to new.
Harmonizing Energy Centers
- Howlite is associated with the third eye and crown chakras, where it is thought to cool a busy mind and open it to wisdom.
- This pairing is believed to attune the mind to spiritual dimensions, allowing the reception of wisdom and insights.
Zodiac Associations
- Howlite is linked with Gemini, Virgo and Scorpio, signs known for active minds and strong feelings that may benefit from its soothing influence.
- Its vibration is associated with the numbers 2 and 11, suggesting gentle cooperation through the 2 and spiritual illumination through the 11.
Spiritual Growth
- Howlite assists journeys out of the body and accessing past lives, and is a stone of manifestation of desires.
- It strengthens memory and the desire for knowledge, and assists in calm, reasoned communication in study and spiritual teaching.
Physical Healing
- Howlite is traditionally said to balance calcium levels, aiding bones, teeth and soft tissue, though it is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.
- It is also called an antidote for insomnia caused by an overactive mind, best used alongside good sleep habits and qualified health care.
Care and handling
Howlite is soft and porous, so it scratches easily and can absorb liquids and dyes; it is often dyed blue to imitate turquoise. Clean it with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dry it at once. Avoid soaking, harsh chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners and steam, and keep it away from heat. Store it apart from harder stones and cosmetics, perfume or oils.
Individual experiences with Howlite vary, and its effects are personal. Approach it with patience and an open mind, use it mindfully for calm and rest, and trust your own intuition.