Beautiful and Versatile Howlite Stone in Jewelry Making

In my Squidoo Lens, you will find lots of information about my online jewelry stores, about my handmade bead jewelry, about me, and also fun gemstone facts and folklore.
Here is a sample of the jewelry related articles you will find on my lens at Squidoo.
Howlite Stone.

Perhaps you may have some howlite stone jewelry and not even realize it.
Howlite is an extremely versatile stone widely used in jewelry making, small carvings and even cameos.
Howlite in its natural state is usually a lovely white to pale gray color with dark gray to black lines.  However, it may also be blue or green.
Howlite is quite desirable as a jewelry making material, not only because it is a lovely stone, but also because it is inexpensive.  It is also porous and can easily be dyed.
Natural howlite is sometimes known as "white turquoise", "white buffalo turquoise", or " white buffalo stone".
Because of the matrix of dark lines in howlite, it is often dyed a turquoise color.  It is sometimes used as an inexpensive alternative to real turquoise.  Be aware that a few unscrupulous merchants my try to sell cheaper dyed howlite in place of more expensive and valuable turquoise.

Howlite was originally discovered in Novia Scotia, Canada by chemist and geologist, Henry How (1828-1879).  Hence, the name of "howlite".
Later, howlite was discovered in Tick Canyon, California in 1868.  California still remains today as the world's primary source of howlite.

Howlite also has an abundance of folklore and legend associated with it and is well known for its healing powers.  Howlite is an exceptionally calming stone.  It is commonly used to relieve stress and to promote peace of mind and a restful sleep.
Having howlite on your person helps to control anger and aids in absorbing the anger of others directed toward you.
Howlite helps to overcome, undesirable traits such as selfishness, rudeness, and excessive criticism.
This stone also helps in mediation, aids in the pursuit of sound reasoning, encourages patience, and improves observation and analytical skills.  Howlite also works to improve memory.
It is also believed that howlite can bring forth a journey outside the body to reveal memories of past lives and life times.  Gemini is howlite's corresponding astrological sign.
Howlite also balances calcium in the body by assisting in the absorption of calcium.  Therefore, howlite helps to strengthen bones and teeth, preventing osteoporosis and tooth decay.

On a more practical note, howlite is a relatively soft and porous stone, only a 3.5 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness.  Therefore, howlite jewelry should be kept away from excessive heat and long periods of strong sunlight.  Be careful of harsh cleaning agents, acids and solvents.  These could damage the howlite stone and its color.

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http://www.BeadJewelryByAnita.etsy.com

Thanks for reading, Bead Jewelry By Anita