Home > White Turquoise: The Real Story

What The Heck Is "White Turquoise"?

So, what's the deal with 'White Turquoise'? Is it even turquoise? (Spoiler: nope). Here's the real story behind the stones that get called by that name, usually Howlite or Magnesite.
Disclaimer: These visuals and descriptions celebrate the lore and legend of gems and crystals. While rooted in centuries of belief, they are shared as symbolic and spiritual perspectives, not literal or therapeutic claims.

You’ve seen it in jewelry... that chalky white stone with cool dark veins. People call it "White Turquoise," but that’s not really what it is. Let's dig into what this stone actually is, where it comes from, and why it's got such a confusing name.

Close-up of a necklace and bracelet made from white turquoise (Howlite or Magnesite), showcasing its chalky white color and dark, web-like veins.

What is "White Turquoise"? (It's Complicated)

Key Takeaway: The term "White Turquoise" is a misnomer used for marketing. The stones are almost always Howlite or Magnesite, which are entirely different minerals from real, copper-based turquoise.

The stone everyone calls "White Turquoise" is a creamy, porcelain-white rock with a web of dark veins. The lines of grey, black, or brown look great against the pale background, which has made it popular for jewelry. But here's the secret, it's almost never actual turquoise. 3

Real turquoise is a copper and aluminum phosphate mineral. It gets its famous blue-green color from the copper in its chemical structure. 4 Without copper, you can't have turquoise, so a truly "white" turquoise is a geological contradiction.

The stones sold as "White Turquoise" are almost always one of two other minerals: Howlite or Magnesite. 6 These stones are common, inexpensive, and happen to look a lot like the matrix patterns in high-quality turquoise. They are also very porous, so they soak up dye easily, which is why you'll often see them dyed blue-green to imitate the real thing. 2

The name "White Turquoise" was a clever marketing trick. It links these common white stones to the more famous and revered turquoise, making them sound more appealing. 1 It wasn’t an accident, it was a sales tactic.

What about White Buffalo Stone?

To make things even more confusing, there's "White Buffalo Stone." This name refers to a specific mineral mix (often magnesite and calcite) from the Dry Creek Mine in Nevada. 4 The miners who found it in 1993 named it to honor the sacred White Buffalo from Native American legend, a symbol of rarity and purity. 5

So you've got a whole range of stuff out there. There are cheap plastic fakes, then there's genuine Howlite and Magnesite sold under the misleading "White Turquoise" name. And then there's "White Buffalo Stone," which is a specific brand of magnesite that has earned its own respected identity, even though it isn't turquoise.

Howlite vs. Magnesite

Even though they look similar enough to get mixed up, Howlite and Magnesite are totally different minerals. They have different chemistries, structures, and origins. It’s just a geological coincidence that they ended up looking so much alike.

Howlite

Howlite is a calcium borosilicate hydroxide. 1 It usually forms in lumpy, irregular nodules that people compare to cauliflower heads. 2 This opaque white material is pretty soft, with a Mohs hardness of about 3.5. 6

Raw, unpolished nodules of Howlite, resembling small heads of cauliflower with their lumpy, irregular shapes.

Its most important feature for jewelers is its porosity. The tiny pores in its structure allow it to easily absorb dyes, making it a perfect stand-in for more expensive stones like turquoise. 7 Big deposits are found in Nova Scotia, Canada, and California, USA. 1

Magnesite

Magnesite, on the other hand, is a magnesium carbonate. 7 It also often appears in chalky, white, lumpy masses, making it a dead ringer for Howlite. 7 It’s a little harder than Howlite (3.5 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale) but is still a relatively soft mineral. 3

A side-by-side comparison of polished Howlite and Magnesite stones, highlighting the sharper, web-like veins of Howlite versus the more mottled, brownish matrix of Magnesite.

Magnesite is also porous, so it's easily dyed and sold as fake turquoise. 7 One way to tell them apart can be the matrix, Howlite's veins are often sharp and web-like, while Magnesite's can be brownish and appear more mottled or swirled. 3 Magnesite is much more common than Howlite, with huge deposits all over the world. 18

History and Modern Myths

The story of "White Turquoise" has two parts: the real scientific discovery and the modern spiritual myth-making. One is based on 19th-century geology records. The other was made up much more recently.

The Real Story

Howlite's official history starts in 1868 near Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada. 9 Miners digging for gypsum kept finding these dense white lumps that got in the way. 9 They showed the strange material to Henry How, a Canadian chemist and geologist. 2

How figured out it was a new mineral. 6 Soon after, the American mineralogist James Dwight Dana officially named it "Howlite" to honor him. 2 Because it was discovered so recently, Howlite has no ancient history, unlike real turquoise, which has been used for thousands of years. 25

The Modern Myth

The spiritual story of "White Turquoise" is often tied to Native American traditions, using names like "White Buffalo Stone." 24 The White Buffalo is a rare and sacred animal to many Plains tribes, like the Lakota, symbolizing peace, purity, and answered prayers. 26 By linking the stone's white color to this powerful symbol, a modern lore was created.

Important Note: Be mindful that the connection between "White Turquoise" and Native American spirituality is a modern invention for marketing. There is no historical evidence of tribes using Howlite or Magnesite, and associating them with sacred symbols like the White Buffalo can be a form of cultural appropriation.

It's important to be careful with this connection. While some sellers claim Native American tribes historically used Howlite, there's no real anthropological or archaeological evidence to back that up. 28 The story likely started in the late 20th century, when the "White Buffalo Stone" from the Nevada mine was given its name and then broadly applied to all similar-looking white stones. 4

This raises questions about cultural appropriation, where a sacred spiritual story is attached to a commercial product to make it sell better. 11 The lore of White Turquoise belongs not to the stone's documented history, but to the idea of the stone as it exists in the contemporary spiritual imagination.

Spiritual Meanings

Despite its confusing identity, the stone known as White Turquoise (referring to both Howlite and Magnesite) has a solid place in the metaphysical world. Its meaning reflects its looks, a calm, clear canvas for your mind. Its energy is all about stillness and mental purity.

A serene scene with a polished white turquoise stone resting on an open book next to a calming candle, symbolizing spiritual purity and mental clarity.

The main meaning of White Turquoise is purity and spiritual connection. Its milky-white color is seen as a symbol of a blank slate, a mind cleared of clutter and ready for new wisdom. 12 It’s considered a great "attunement stone," gently opening the mind to connect with higher spiritual frequencies. 33

Its most famous property is its ability to bring calm and emotional stillness. It is the go-to stone for soothing an overactive mind. 1 Its gentle vibe is thought to quiet the internal chatter that causes anxiety, stress, and worry. 26 For people whose minds race at night, this stone can act like a spiritual sedative. 39

Finally, White Turquoise is seen as a potent spiritual purifier. Its energy is like a "cleansing breath" for your aura, mopping up negativity and psychic junk. 1 It’s believed to help you release unhealthy emotional attachments to past traumas or bad habits. 34 It creates a calm inner space where balance can be restored.

Healing Properties

The metaphysical meanings of White Turquoise lead to healing properties for the mind, spirit, and body. It works by removing blockages and releasing negative states, allowing your natural harmony to return. It figures that a calm mind and clear spirit are the first steps to a healthy body.

Emotional and Spiritual

For emotional healing, its calming nature is key. It's a powerful tool for anger management, helping you understand the roots of your rage instead of just suppressing it. 26 It encourages you to overcome negative traits like selfishness or being overly critical. 40

Spiritually, White Turquoise is said to help with out-of-body journeys and accessing past-life memories. 34 By stilling the conscious mind, it lets the soul's awareness expand. 34 It also strengthens the connection to spirit guides by clearing the mental static that blocks their messages. 33

Physical

The stone's healing also extends to the physical body. It’s most famous for helping with insomnia, especially when a racing mind is the cause. 26 Placing the stone under a pillow is a popular practice for promoting deep sleep.

Because of its bone-white look, it’s traditionally linked to the skeletal system. It's believed to help balance calcium levels in the body, aiding bones and teeth. 1 Its calming energy is also thought to release physical tension and soothe muscle cramps caused by stress. 26

How to Use It

You can easily bring the calm energy of White Turquoise into your daily life. Its uses can be both active, like in meditation, and passive, like wearing it as jewelry. The main goal is to create a pocket of peace for your mind, body, or home.

If you meditate, White Turquoise is a great partner. Holding a stone or placing it on your Third Eye (forehead) or Crown Chakra (top of your head) can deepen the experience. 23 It helps quiet the "monkey mind" that distracts you from being present. 34

A person wearing a beaded white turquoise bracelet, demonstrating its use as a calming piece of jewelry for daily wear.

The most popular way to use the stone is to wear it as jewelry. A necklace or bracelet keeps its calming and purifying vibes in your personal energy field all day. 1 It acts as a gentle shield, absorbing stress and negativity from your environment. 52

The stone’s serene vibe can also transform the energy of your home or office. In Feng Shui, placing it in a room can create a peaceful atmosphere. 53 A piece in the bedroom is a classic remedy for insomnia. 1 In a tense family room or office, it’s believed to absorb conflict and encourage calmer communication. 1

Chakras, Zodiac, and Elements

In metaphysics, every gem has an energy that clicks with different systems, like chakras, zodiac signs, and the elements. White Turquoise's connections all point to its main job: clearing and lifting your consciousness.

An illustration of the human energy system showing the chakras, with a glowing light highlighting the Crown Chakra at the top of the head, associated with white turquoise.

The stone’s strongest connection is to the Crown Chakra, or Sahasrara . 37 This is the energy center at the top of your head that governs your connection to the spiritual world. 56 White Turquoise's pure white energy is a perfect match for the Crown Chakra, helping to open this portal and prepare the mind to receive wisdom. 36 You can't reach Sahasrara if your mind is full of anxiety, so White Turquoise clears the path. It also resonates with the Third Eye Chakra, or Ajna , boosting intuition. 36

In astrology, White Turquoise is most strongly linked with Gemini. 1 Gemini is an air sign known for a quick, active, and curious mind, which can sometimes lead to anxiety and restlessness. 60 The calming energy of White Turquoise is the perfect fix for this, helping to soothe the restless Gemini brain and encourage focused communication. 60

This astrological link fits with the stone's elemental connection to Air. 50 The Air element rules the mind, thought, communication, and the spirit world. 63 All of the stone’s properties, from mental clarity to spiritual connection, fall right into the Air element's domain.

Care and Cleaning

Taking care of White Turquoise means being gentle, just like the energy it provides. Both Howlite and Magnesite are soft minerals (3.5 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale) and porous, so they can be damaged more easily than harder stones like quartz. 6 Proper care will keep them looking good and vibrating purely.

Safe Cleaning

The best ways to energetically clean and recharge White Turquoise don't involve harsh physical stuff. Smudging, passing the stone through the smoke of herbs like white sage or palo santo, is a great way to clear negative energy without risk. 58

You can also place the stone in the moonlight, especially during a full moon, overnight. 1 The moon’s gentle energy is believed to both cleanse and recharge the stone. 1 Sound healing with a singing bowl or placing the stone on a Selenite charging plate also works well. 66

What to Avoid

Care Warning: Avoid prolonged water soaking (especially salt water), harsh chemicals, and extended direct sunlight, as these can damage soft, porous stones like Howlite and Magnesite.

Be very careful with some common cleaning methods. Because the stone is porous, don't soak it in water for a long time. 64 A quick rinse might be okay, but dry methods are always safer. Salt water is especially bad, the salt crystals can scratch the surface.

Keep it out of intense, direct sunlight for long periods, as this can fade its color. 64 And definitely protect the stone from harsh chemicals like perfumes, hairsprays, and household cleaners, which it can absorb and get stained by. 64

How to Spot a Fake

Shopping for "White Turquoise" means you need a sharp eye. Your goal is usually to find real Howlite or Magnesite, not a cheap fake made of plastic or dust. By checking a few key things, you can make a much better purchase.

The biggest visual clue is the matrix, the web of veins. In real Howlite and Magnesite, these lines are part of the stone, not just painted on top. 8 The pattern should look organic and random. Plastic fakes often have a matrix that looks too perfect, stiff, or uniform. 69

How the stone feels is also a big clue. Real Howlite and Magnesite feel cool to the touch and a bit chalky or porcelain-like. 3 They should feel substantial, not light and warm like plastic. 69 The shine is usually dull or sub-vitreous, not super glossy like some fakes. 15

If you want to run a simple test, you can. If you suspect a piece is dyed to look like turquoise, rub a hidden spot with a cotton swab dipped in acetone (nail polish remover). The color will often bleed if it's dyed Howlite or Magnesite. 70 An acid test is definitive but best left to pros, Magnesite will fizz in warm acid, while Howlite will not. 15

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