Howlite

Weight is a decisive factor affecting the price of howlite. The price of a tumbled stone around 2.5 cm across is usually $1-$5/piece.

Howlite is a substantially porous stone, making it somewhat vulnerable to chipping or scratching under physical impact.

Howlite should not be submerged in water or exposed to intense light and heat due to the risk of structural weakening, discoloration, and possible damage. It is also susceptible to staining and can absorb household chemicals, which may lead to discoloration or other forms of damage.

Howlite is used for making decorative items: beads, small carvings, and other jewelry components. Because it is porous, this stone can be artificially dyed, which produced a market of fake minerals based on howlite dyeing. That is especially true in the case of turquoise. Honest traders that do not seek to deceive customers sell faux howlite-based turquoise under the name "turquenite."

Howlite was discovered near Windsor, Nova Scotia in 1868 by Henry How (1828–1879), a Canadian chemist, geologist, and mineralogist. How was alerted to the unknown mineral by miners in a gypsum quarry, who found it to be a nuisance. He called the new mineral silico-boro-calcite; it was given the name howlite by James Dwight Dana shortly thereafter.

The most common form of howlite is irregular nodules, sometimes resembling cauliflower. Crystals of howlite are rare, having been found in only a couple localities worldwide. Crystals were first reported from Tick Canyon in the Sierra Pelona Mountains of California, and later at Iona, Nova Scotia. Crystals reach a maximum size of about one centimeter. The nodules are white with fine grey or black veins in an erratic, often web-like pattern, opaque with a sub-vitreous luster. The crystals at Iona are colorless, white or brown and are often translucent or transparent. Its structure is monoclinic with a Mohs hardness of 3.5 and lacks regular cleavage. Crystals are prismatic and flattened on {100}. The crystals from Tick Canyon are elongated along the 010 axis, while those from Iona are elongated along the 001 axis.

Howlite was discovered near Windsor, Nova Scotia in 1868 by Henry How (1828–1879), a Canadian chemist, geologist, and mineralogist. How was alerted to the unknown mineral by miners in a gypsum quarry, who found it to be a nuisance. He called the new mineral silico-boro-calcite; it was given the name howlite by James Dwight Dana shortly thereafter.

Howlite has a positive energy flow that provides believers a soothing sense of calm and tranquility. It is said to help alleviate stress, excessive worry, and strife, so it may occasionally help with sleep problems. It encourages patience, improves focus and concentration, and when used on the Third Eye and Crown chakras during meditation, can help those interested in recalling past lives.