Howlite
About Howlite
Howlite is a white or grey porous stone with distinctive grey or black veining, resembling marble or porcelain. Known as a stone of calm and patience, this gentle crystal is particularly valued for quieting an overactive mind, promoting restful sleep, and teaching patience during times of stress.
Crystal Properties
- Mohs Hardness: 3.5
- Chemical Composition: Ca₂B₅SiO₉(OH)₅ (Calcium Borosilicate Hydroxide)
- Crystal System: Monoclinic
- Colour: White to grey with grey or black veining
- Chakra: Crown Chakra, Third Eye Chakra
- Element: Air
Metaphysical Properties
Known as a stone of calm awareness and patience, Howlite quiets the mind and prepares it for wisdom and insights. It's particularly valued for reducing anxiety, promoting restful sleep, and teaching patience. Many use Howlite to calm an overactive mind, release attachments, and absorb anger and negative energy from yourself and others.
How to Use Howlite
Place Howlite under your pillow for peaceful sleep and to remember dreams, hold it during meditation to calm racing thoughts, carry it when you need patience, or keep it nearby during stressful situations. Its gentle energy makes it perfect for those new to crystal healing and anyone seeking mental peace.
Caring for Your Howlite
- Cleansing: Water-safe for brief periods but porous - avoid prolonged soaking. Best cleansed with sound bowls, sage smoke, or moonlight.
- Charging: Moonlight only - avoid direct sunlight. Place on selenite or use sound for charging.
- Storage: Soft at Mohs 3.5. Store separately wrapped in soft cloth away from all other stones to prevent damage.
- Durability: Porous and soft - can absorb oils, dyes, and liquids. Handle gently and keep away from chemicals and moisture.
Where Howlite is Found
Howlite forms in evaporite deposits where boron-rich waters interact with calcium. It typically occurs in nodular masses with the characteristic grey or black veining created by other minerals.
Major deposits: USA (California - original discovery), Canada (Nova Scotia), Mexico, Germany, and Turkey.
California Howlite is considered classic quality. Due to its porous nature, Howlite is often dyed to imitate turquoise or other stones - always seek natural, undyed specimens for metaphysical work.
Howlite Through History
Howlite was first discovered in Nova Scotia, Canada in 1868 by Henry How, a Canadian chemist and geologist, for whom it was named. It's a relatively recent discovery compared to most crystals.
Because of its porous nature and white color, Howlite has often been dyed to imitate more expensive stones like turquoise (creating 'turquenite') or lapis lazuli. However, natural white Howlite has gained recognition for its own powerful calming properties.
In modern crystal healing, Howlite has become one of the most popular stones for sleep, anxiety relief, and calming an overactive mind, particularly valued in our fast-paced modern world.
Astrological Connections
- Zodiac: Gemini (primary), also Virgo
- Planetary: Moon
- Birth Stone: June (alternative birthstone)
- Numerology: Number 2 (patience and balance)
Crystals That Pair Well With Howlite
Howlite works gently with other calming and sleep stones:
- Amethyst + Howlite for peaceful sleep and calm mind
- Lepidolite + Howlite for anxiety relief and emotional peace
- Blue Lace Agate + Howlite for calm communication
- Selenite + Howlite for mental clarity and peace
- Moonstone + Howlite for restful sleep and dreams
Explore Related Crystals
Similar Calming & Sleep Stones:
- Magnesite - Similar appearance, deep meditation
- Celestite - Angelic peace and calm
- Scolecite - Deep peace and sleep
- Blue Calcite - Soothing and calming
✨ Complete Your Crystal Collection
This crystal is featured in our The Unwind Set Crystal Intention Set - a hand-curated collection of five soothing crystals designed to help you find peace, relaxation, and emotional renewal in your daily life.
The Unwind Set includes: Lepidolite, Amethyst, Amazonite, Moonstone, and Howlite