The Origin of White Howlite
Howlite is a borate mineral that was discovered near Windsor, Nova Scotia in 1868 by Henry How, a Canadian chemist, geologist, and mineralogist. He discovered the mineral in an evaporite deposit while searching for borax. How named the mineral after himself, as many discoverers did at the time.
The most common color of howlite is white, but it also occurs in gray, brown, blue, and black varieties. The white color comes from the natural color of the mineral. Gray and brown howlites get their color from impurities. Blue howlite is dyed to enhance its appearance.
Howlite Deposits
The main source of white howlite is the borax deposits of California and Nevada. Other countries with significant howlite resources are Canada, Mexico, Germany, Turkey, Russia, and China. Let's take a look at some of the major howlite mining areas around the world:
Boron, California – The world's largest borax mine in Boron, California contains major deposits of white howlite. This is the most significant source of the mineral.
Nova Scotia, Canada – While no longer actively mined, howlite was first discovered in evaporite deposits in Nova Scotia. Some white howlite is still collected from this region.
Nevada, United States – The arid deserts of Nevada contain large borax deposits that are often accompanied by white howlite. Mines in the Blue Mountain area contain exceptional quality howlite specimens.
Southern California – Other borax mines in the Mojave Desert region of California contain white howlite mineralization. The Kramer Borate Deposits are one example.
Turkey – Significant borate deposits containing white howlite are mined in Turkey, which ranks second behind the United States in boron mineral production. The Emet Mine is one of the major sources.
Mexico – Mexico also contains substantial borax and howlite deposits. The Cerro Colorado mine in northern Mexico produces high-quality white howlite.
While howlite can be found in evaporite deposits worldwide, the arid desert regions of the southwestern United States and Turkey contain the most significant current sources of this beautiful white mineral. The mining of borax for industrial uses also provides the major economic drive for modern howlite production.
