mineral
White Howlite
Howlite (Calcium borosilicate hydroxide, Ca2B5SiO9(OH)5)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 3.5, Color: Milky white with black or grey veining, Luster: Sub-vitreous to dull, Crystal Structure: Monoclinic, Cleavage: None
- Hardness
- 3
Identified More mineral →
Explore White Howlite in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 3.5, Color: Milky white with black or grey veining, Luster: Sub-vitreous to dull, Crystal Structure: Monoclinic, Cleavage: None
Formation & geological history
Formed in evaporite deposits in arid environments, often associated with gypsum or borax. Typically found in nodules resembling cauliflower.
Uses & applications
Commonly used as a gemstone for jewelry, beads, and decorative carvings; frequently dyed to imitate turquoise.
Geological facts
Named after Henry How, the Canadian mineralogist who first described it in 1868. It is extremely porous, making it the most common material used to create fake dyed turquoise.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its white porcelain-like appearance and irregular grey 'spider-web' veining. It is much softer than quartz or true turquoise. Found mostly in Nova Scotia, Canada, and California, USA.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous
Septarian Pebble
Septarian nodule / Concretion
sedimentary