howlite
crystallized howlite from California U.S.
Detailed sheet
howlite
Discovered in 1868 in California, its name honors the Canadian chemist H. How (1828-1879).
Its porosity allows the dye it, but only in blue to imitate the turquoise. Cabochon cut, in its natural color it is wrongly called “white turquoise”.
CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Ca2B5[SiO9](OH)5
boron silicate mineral
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Main color
white
Other colors
grey, colourless
it is dyed blue to resemble turquoise
Color of streak
white
Luster
greasy
Hardness
3.0 to 3.5
Density
2.45 to 2.59
Cleavage
none
Fracture
conchoidal, uneven
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
Transparency
opaque
rarely translucent
Refractive index
1.586 - 1.606
Double refraction
0.019
definite, biaxial (-)
visible double refraction
No
Pleochroism
absent
Number of colors
1
Fluorescence
none
sometimes fluorescent due to colorants
CRYSTALS PROPERTIES
aggregates with black veins
crystals system
monoclinic
OTHER INFORMATIONS
Astrological sign
Libra
APPROACHING GEMS
Exploited
sites
It is found in deposits of borates: California, Canada, Turkey and Germany.
use in jewelry
It is cut cabochon. His black veins resemble those of the turquoise matrix and when it is dyed blue, it is difficult to distinguish one from the other. It is used to make decorative objects because it is easy to carve and stain.
Daily care
and precautions
It is more fragile than the turquoise but beware the color can rub off depending on the dye used to tint it.
imitations and
treatments
The howlite is dyed as easily as magnesite, it is made as an imitation of turquoise, lapis lazuli, coral, etc…
Historical
healing properties
It would be a stone of balance that would be related to hydration, water retention, it would have a role in the exchange of fluids. It would favor the elimination of water overload.
Other
Gems
Venez visitez
notre site web
voillot-joaillier.fr
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