APPLICATIONS: | As a source of boron, as an ornamental stone for carved beads, figurines and polished cabochons, as a turquoise substitute and as mineral specimens. |
ASSOCIATED MINERALS: | Colemanite, ulexite, anhydrite, gypsum, colemanite and clays. |
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: | Gemini. |
CHEMICAL STRUCTURE: | Ca2B5SiO9(OH)5, Calcium Boro-Silicate Hydroxide. |
CLASSES: | Silicates and Carbonates. |
CLEAVAGE: | Absent. |
COLOR: | White with gray to black streaks, web-like markings and blotches. |
CRYSTAL HABITS: | Cauliflower-like nodules and compact sometimes micaceous masses. Crystals are rare, but minute (1mm size) tabular six sided crystals sometimes aggregated into rosettes are found and some nodules will have crystal faces on their surfaces (mostly from Nova Scotia). |
CRYSTAL SYSTEM: | Monoclinic; 2/m. |
FIELD INDICATORS: | Nodular character, color, solubility in HCl, luster, lack of cleavage and softness. |
FRACTURE: | Conchoidal to uneven. |
GENERAL INFORMATION: | Sometimes fluoresces a blue, yellowish white or off white color under short wave UV light and dissolves in hydrochloric acid solution without bubbling. |
GEOGRAPHY: | Canada and USA. |
HARDNESS: | 3.5. |
LUSTER: | Dull to sub-vitreous (porcelaneous) and earthy. |
METAPHYSICAL: | Howlite can be used to calm communication, lessen boisterousness, rudeness, facilitate awareness and encourage emotional expression. It helps ones ambitions in reaching their goals and assist in eliminating hesitation with respect to action. It dispells criticalness, facetiousness and cold selfishness, bringing both innocence and strength to immediate confrontations. It helps as a reflector for individual behavior. It discourages impertinent behavior and encourages subtlety and tact. |
PHYSICAL: | Has been used in the treatment of disorders of teeth, bone structure, soft tissues, pain, calcium balancing, stress and rage. |
SPECIFIC GRAVITY: | 2.5 - 2.6. |
STREAK: | White. |
SUBCLASSES: | Nesosilicates and Borates |
TRANSPARENCY: | Opaque to translucent. |
VIBRATES: | To the number 2. |
