White Turquoise / Zebra Jasper (Commonly sold as white Howlite or White Buffalo Turquoise)
Silicate mineral aggregate / Borosilicate (Most likely Howlite, Ca2B5SiO9(OH)5, or dyed Magnesite, MgCO3) · Semi-Precious Gemstone / Decorative Stone / Jewelry Component
Crystal System
Monoclinic (Howlite) or Trigonal (Magnesite); cut and polished into a machine-made faceted or tumbled prismatic point pendant
Mineral Group
Borosilicates (Howlite) or Carbonates (Magnesite)
Chemical Formula
Ca2B5SiO9(OH)5 (Howlite) or MgCO3 (Magnesite) with dark matrix veins
Formation Process
Evaporite deposits or hydrothermal alteration in boron-rich environments (Howlite) or alteration of ultramafic rocks (Magnesite)
About This Crystal
The specimen is fashioned into a small, top-drilled hexagonal crystal pendant set in a silver-tone metal bail. It features a milky white to off-white opaque body with distinct, web-like dark grey to black matrix veins weaving irregularly across the surface.
Physical Characteristics
White to greyish body color with dark veining; white streak; no true cleavage visible due to tumbled/polished form; conchoidal to uneven fracture; specific gravity around 2.53 (Howlite) or 3.0 (Magnesite); opaque with a vitreous to sub-vitreous luster when polished
Optical Properties
Biaxial positive (Howlite) or uniaxial negative (Magnesite); generally displays no significant optical phenomena such as play of color or chatoyancy; entirely opaque
Hardness & Durability
Origin Region
Global distribution; Howlite is notably sourced from Nova Scotia, USA (California), and South Africa
Hardness & Durability
Mohs hardness of 3.5 for Howlite (or 3.5-4.5 for Magnesite), making it quite soft and easily scratched by a steel knife or quartz. Moderate durability, requiring careful wear to avoid scratching
Care & Maintenance
Clean gently with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth; avoid harsh chemical cleaners, prolonged exposure to water, and ultrasonic or steam cleaners due to softness and potential porous treatments
Rarity & Value
Common and highly affordable; frequently mass-produced into tumbled shapes and jewelry components, often dyed to imitate turquoise or sold under commercial trade names
Special Characteristics
Natural web-like matrix patterns that resemble turquoise webbing, though compositionally distinct as a white borosilicate or carbonate mineral
Lore & History
Widely used in modern crystal healing as a stone of ultimate calm, stress relief, and emotional healing. Often associated with the Crown Chakra in metaphysical traditions, though these are symbolic beliefs and not scientific claims