GEMSTONE JEWELRY - Howlite, what color do you Want ?

Bright and vivid colors. What we have here is Howlite, a white or ivory natural colored gemstone that is pretty in its natural coloration, but can be dyed every color in the rainbow and thus can immitate other gemstones, a main one being Turquoise.

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This particular necklace set uses the natural white Howlite in half-moon and rounds, along with turquoise colored Howlite half-moons and rounds and finished with red colored Howlite rounds. A silver 2 inch extender and Lobster clasp complete the set. Silver French Hook dangle earrings with white and turquoise Howlite colored half-moons and red Howlite colored rounds finish up the set.

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Howlite, named for its discoverer Henry How is one of those gemstone that is more famous for imitating another gemstone than being used for itself. In most cases the other mineral is Turquoise, a phosphate gemstone. Although natural Howlite is always white or gray and many times has various darker matrixes within in structure, it can accept dyes fairly easily and is most times dyed various shades of turquoise blues. The look of turquoise colored Howlite is so good that dishonest dealers have been unfortunately successful in this hoax for many years and it has gotten worse in the past few years. In more honest circumstances, dyed Howlite is an affordable substitute for Turquoise carvings, beads, polished stones and cabochons. It accepts a nice polish and its porcelaneous luster is attractive and enhances even undyed beads and carvings. Unfortunately it has low hardness, but it still has a distinct toughness. California is the source for most all of the Howlite trade where nodules of up to one hundred pounds have been found. In addition to the famous turquoise colors that Howlite is normally dyed, it also can become every and any color one can think of. The matrix in the natural Howlite, as seen at the right, makes for a very interesting gemstone to use.

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