What is the Difference Between Howlite and Magnesite?

Howlite and Magnesite are both white, mineral-based gemstones that can be found in crystal forms. However, they have several differences in terms of physical appearance, chemical composition, and other properties. Here are the main differences between Howlite and Magnesite:

1. Appearance: Magnesite has a dull, chalky exterior, while Howlite has a shinier, more porcelain-like appearance. Howlite is more opaque than Magnesite and often has distinct black streaks and veins.
2. Cleavage: Magnesite has perfect cleavage in three directions, which makes faceting difficult, while Howlite does not have the same cleavage properties.
3. Hardness: Magnesite has a hardness of 4-4.5 on the Mohs scale, while Howlite has a hardness of 3.5-6.5.
4. Chemical Composition: Howlite is a borate mineral and is composed of borosilicate hydroxide with calcium minerals. Magnesite, on the other hand, is composed of magnesium carbonate.
5. Fluorescence: When exposed to UV light, Howlite glows a brown-yellow shade, while Magnesite glows a bluish-green shade.
6. Refractive Index: Magnesite has a refractive index of 1.509 to 1.700, while Howlite has a refractive index of 1.586 to 1.605.

In summary, Howlite and Magnesite are both white, mineral-based gemstones with distinct differences in appearance, hardness, chemical composition, fluorescence, and refractive index.

Comparative Table: Howlite vs Magnesite

Here is a table illustrating the differences between howlite and magnesite:

Both howlite and magnesite are relatively soft gemstones, but magnesite is stronger than howlite. Howlite is a borate mineral composed of calcium borosilicate hydroxide, while magnesite is a magnesium carbonate mineral. Howlite has a Mohs hardness of 3.5-6.5, while magnesite has a hardness of 4-4.5. Magnesite has perfect grade cleavage, while howlite does not have any cleavage. Both minerals are found in white or gray colors, but magnesite can also occur in yellow or brown shades. Howlite has a numerical vibration of 2, while magnesite's numerical vibration is 3.