Tumbled Howlite

Howlite is found in cauliflower-like masses that have the texture of unglazed porcelain. This snow white stone is threaded with black or dark grey spiderweb veining. Some samples may have little to no veining at all. This versatile stone is named for Henry How, a 19th century mineralogist, who found it first in Nova Scotia. While howlite can be enjoyed for its own beauty, it's most famous for the other stone it's usually tapped to stand in for: turquoise. Because howlite is soft and takes on rich hues of color when it's dyed, it becomes an inexpensive alternative to luscious lapis lazuli, cherry red coral or tantalizing turquoise.