Judging quality
Natural howlite is white with grey-black veining. If a 'turquoise' bead is light, chalky and shows dye concentrated in the veins, it is howlite.
Borate
Howlite
Chalky white borate with grey webbing, porous enough to take dye perfectly — which is why most fake turquoise on the market is dyed howlite.
Care
Soft and porous. Keep away from oils and colorants.
History & lore
Discovered in 1868 by Henry How, a Nova Scotian chemist investigating a gypsum quarry.
Cultural history, recorded as tradition rather than as medical or scientific claim.
Common questions about Howlite
- What is Howlite?
- Chalky white borate with grey webbing, porous enough to take dye perfectly — which is why most fake turquoise on the market is dyed howlite.
- How hard is Howlite and what is it made of?
- Howlite is a Borate-family mineral with the composition Ca2B5SiO9(OH)5. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system and rates 3.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. It occurs in white, grey.
- Where does Howlite come from?
- Notable localities for Howlite include Canada (Nova Scotia), USA (California).
- How do you tell good Howlite from filler?
- Natural howlite is white with grey-black veining. If a 'turquoise' bead is light, chalky and shows dye concentrated in the veins, it is howlite.
- How do you care for Howlite?
- Soft and porous. Keep away from oils and colorants.
See it in person
Photographs only go so far
Both rooms are open six days a week, and there is always someone happy to pull pieces out of the case so you can compare them under the light.