HOWLITE

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HOWLITE IS A CALCIUM borosilicate hydroxide. Often white with dark veins, howlite’s most common use has been as a stand-in for turquoise; when howlite is dyed and polished, it greatly resembles turquoise. However, it is a much softer stone, and experts can easily differentiate the two because dyes used on howlite cannot replicate the beautiful tones of fine examples of turquoise. Howlite is mined in Southern California, Mexico, Canada, and Turkey.

Another name for howlite, White Buffalo Stone—not to be confused with White Buffalo Turquoise, which is in fact turquoise from the Dry Creek Mine in Nevada—has been extensively used in Native American ornamentation. It was named after the White Buffalo, a sacred animal in some Native cultures. In the metaphysical community, howlite is believed to have a very calming effect and to aid in resolving inner conflicts.