Semi-Precious - Howlite Round Beads Howlite is a snowy white stone that’s most commonly found with grey or black veins running across its surface other less common variations include brown veins. It’s a fairly soft gemstone that is susceptible to dyes and as such is sometimes coloured to imitate more expensive gem-stones such as turquoise and Lapis Lazuli. Because of it’s a soft stone that has a tough structure and a beautiful web of intricate veins running throughout the stone it’s quite popular as a stone that’s used for carving statues.