Howlite Gemstone Beads

Frequently asked questions

• Is howlite a real stone?

  Yes — howlite is a naturally occurring mineral, a calcium borosilicate hydroxide first described in 1868 by Canadian chemist Henry How. It forms in evaporite borate deposits, most commercially in California. The confusion around howlite usually comes from the dyed-blue version sold as turquoise: the howlite itself is a real natural mineral, but when it's dyed blue and labeled "turquoise," what's being misrepresented is the species, not the existence of the stone. Natural howlite is white with gray-to-black spiderweb veining.
• Is howlite the same as turquoise?

  No — they are completely different minerals. Turquoise is a hydrated copper aluminum phosphate (Mohs 5–6) that forms naturally in blue and blue-green. Howlite is a calcium borosilicate hydroxide (Mohs ~3.5) that forms naturally in white with gray or black veining. Howlite is dyed blue to imitate turquoise because its white porous structure takes dye uniformly and inexpensively. Real turquoise and dyed howlite can look similar at a glance but differ in price, hardness, and veining geometry. Treatment status should be disclosed — ask before buying if a strand doesn't specify.
• How can I tell dyed howlite from real turquoise?

  Three signals. Price is the first and most reliable: real turquoise of comparable size and color saturation costs many times more than dyed howlite. Veining pattern is the second: howlite's veining is irregular and spiderweb-like; turquoise matrix patterns differ by deposit but generally show different geometry. The third is dye behavior at the drill hole — dyed howlite sometimes shows lighter or whiter material exposed at the drill where the bead was cut after dyeing. Buying from a supplier that discloses treatment per strand is the most reliable signal of all.
• How durable is howlite for daily wear?

  Howlite is Mohs ~3.5 — soft, and softer than most of the stones designers work with. It is suitable for necklaces, earrings, and light-wear bracelets; less suitable for rings or heavy-wear bracelets where constant impact and abrasion will scuff the surfaces. Avoid stringing howlite with hard abrasive beads that will scratch it on the same strand. Clean with a soft cloth and mild soap; avoid ultrasonics and steam, especially on dyed strands where prolonged solvent exposure can leach the dye.
• Where does howlite come from?

  Howlite was first described in 1868 in Nova Scotia, Canada, but the bulk of commercial bead-grade material today comes from the western United States — principally California, where the Lang and Tick Canyon deposits produce most of the howlite that reaches the bead trade. Smaller deposits exist in Russia, Germany, Mexico, and Turkey, but US-sourced material dominates the current supply. Dakota's active howlite inventory is predominantly US-sourced; origin should be disclosed where known.