Howlite is a white stone veined with grey, soft (3.5 on the Mohs scale), which tradition links to calm and sleep. Often dyed blue to imitate turquoise, it calls for care when buying. Here's what it is and how to choose it.
Howlite is a calcium borate, matte white veined with grey, with a "porcelain" look. It is soft (hardness 3.5 on the Mohs scale) and porous, which makes it easy to dye. Indeed, blue-dyed howlite is often sold, wrongly, as "turquoise" or "turquenite".
In crystal tradition, howlite is a stone of calm, patience and help with sleep. These virtues are traditions and beliefs: they are not scientifically demonstrated and replace no medical advice (see sources).
Soft and porous, howlite wears quickly: keep it for occasional wear (pendant, low-impact bracelet) and away from water and cosmetics. When buying, know that a cheap, bright-blue "turquoise" is very often dyed howlite. See our natural stone jewellery guide.
A barely damp soft cloth, no soaking (it's porous), no chemicals or ultrasonics. Store it away from scratches.
Tradition links it to calm, patience and help with sleep. These virtues are beliefs, with no scientifically demonstrated effect, and replace no medical advice.
Howlite is a real stone, but it is often dyed blue and sold wrongly as turquoise. A cheap, bright-blue "turquoise" is very frequently dyed howlite: ask for the true nature of the stone.
Not advisable: with a hardness of 3.5, it is soft and porous, so it scratches and wears quickly. Keep it for occasional wear and away from water and cosmetics.
Compare the jewellers in your city on verifiable criteria.
See the rankings