Howlite was named after Henry How, a Nova Scotia geologist, who discovered the gemstone in the late 1860’s. Howlite is a white or off-white gemstone with black, gray or brown veins throughout it. Hardness of the stone ranges from between 5 - 6 on Mohs' Scale. Howlite has earned an unfair reputation in the gemstone industry due to the misuse and false representation of this gemstone.
Because Howlite is an extremely porous stone, it is often dyed and passed off by wholesalers and retailers as turquoise and other sought after gemstones. It is often difficult to tell the difference between Howlite and Turquoise when it has been dyed. Howlite is often referred to as White Turquoise or Albino Turquoise in its natural state. This is unfortunate because Howlite is a beautiful stone that has earned a bad reputation.
Howlite is an ideal stone to use in jewelry. It is reasonably priced and abundant in quantity. It is usually sold with a smooth polished finish and complements many other stones in a wide range of colors.
Howlite does require special care because it is so porous. Much like Turquoise, it will absorb oils, perfumes and chemicals from your skin which can lead to discoloration of the stone. Do not wear Howlite if you will be exposed to extreme heat or extreme light. After wearing your Howlite jewelry, carefully wipe the stones with a clean, soft cloth. If necessary, you can wash Howlite in lukewarm, soapy water. Be sure to dry the jewelry completely after you wash it. It is not recommended to use hot water or any other chemical solutions to clean Howlite.
It is best to keep your Howlite jewelry stored in a cool, dry place where it will not rub against or be scratched by harder stones or metals.
Brenda Cacciatore is a jewelry artisan and the owner of Hanging By A Wire where she designs and sells Original Handcrafted Gemstone Jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets, earrings and an ocean inspired collection. Feel free to browse our site at HangingByAWire.com/
