Howlite is named for its discoverer, Henry How, a geologist from Nova Scotia. Howlite is an easily obtainable stone, found mostly in the United States, (in California) in large quantities, where nodules of up to one hundred pounds have been found. Howlite is a very porous stone that takes dye very well, so it is often dyed blue, and sold as 
turquoise. In fact, the stone is more famous for its ability to look like turquoise, than it is for its own natural state. Dishonest dealers have been quite successful at selling dyed blue howlite as turquoise. However, blue howlite is actually a great, affordable substitute for the more expensive turquoise. Howlite is a very soft stone, rating only a 3.5 on the hardness scale, but it has distinct toughness. The stone will take a polish very well, so it is often seen as a decorative stone used for carvings, beads, polished stones and cabochons.
Howlite is a hydrated calcium borosilicate. It has a dull to sub-vitreous, porcelain- like luster, and is earthy. Stones come in all sizes. Howlite is a light mineral, and is usually of a chalky white color, with gray, brown or black veins or streaks and web-like markings and blotches. It can be described as a marbled stone. Crystals are opaque to translucent and cleavage is absent. Sometimes, howlite fluoresces a blue, yellowish white or off-white color under shortwave UV light. Howlite crystals are occasionally found in groups in continental evaporate deposits with other borate and evaporite minerals. Howlite forms in nodules that have been said to look like the heads of cauliflower. Crystal faces on the nodules are very rare but veins of black, web looking streaks are often interlaced through these nodules, creating a beautiful effect. Often, artists paint slabs of howlite, using these veins to work into their artistic designs. Manganese is sometimes confused with howlite because of its appearance, however unlike howlite, it has good cleavage.
Howlite has been found in large quantities in the United States, mostly in California at the Sterling Borax Mine and Tick Canyon in Los Angeles County; Gower Gulch, Inyo County and Daggett, in San Bernardino County and other borate deposits around California. Other notable occurrences include those in Latonville Quarry, Brookville, in Windsor (the type locality) and Iona, in Nova Scotia; and Newfoundland and New Brunswick, in Canada.
Howlite has an extraordinary amount of mental and physical attributes. It is an extremely calming stone. It brings the wearer a sense of patience and help get rid of anger and rage. Because of this sense of calm the stone brings about, it is used as a sleep aid. Placed under the pillow, it allows the wearer to have a good night's sleep, and stops the wearer's overactive mind which does not allow him to rest. In the same way, the stone is also used for meditation, for those who have trouble calming their minds.
