howlite Ca2B5SiO9(OH)5
Howlite was first described by H. How in 1868 as silicoborocalcite. Later it was identified as calcium silicoborate by James Dwight Dana and named after How. It is often found as nodules resembling gray cauliflower.
Howlite was initially discovered in Nova Scotia, occurring as nodules embedded in anhydrite and gypsum. At Tick Canyon, in Los Angeles County, howlite was embedded in colemanite. The deposit was worked as the Sterling Borax Mine from 1908-1923 and was the second largest borax producer worldwide after the mines in Death Valley. Howlite's silica content made it useless as a source of boron, and for years it was common in the Tick Canyon mine dumps. These specimens are from Tick Canyon.
Each set has a broken half to show the white inside. Typically, these have a gray or black surface and a "cauliflower" appearance.
Select a specimen: When more than one specimen is shown, you can select a particular specimen by telling us what is in the photo with it, either a black and silver pen, a black mechanical pencil (it has an eraser), or one of those plus some number of coins, or you can let us make the selection.
Shipping: By Priority Mail or USPS Ground Advantage, whichever is cheaper, unless we find a better rate. Click > here < for shipping rates. See comment at Note! Use back button to return to this page.
Making multiple purchases? Click on the "combine shipping" button in the shopping cart. We'll send an invoice with combined shipping. A link in that invoice will bring you back to checkout, no hassle.
