Bras D'Or Lake howlite locality

The Bras D'Or Lake howlite locality is located south of Iona, a small community in Victoria County, Nova Scotia, Canada. It sits on the shores of Bras D'Or Lake, a large saltwater tidal body at the center of Cape Breton Island, often called "Canada's only inland sea." Nearby, you can find Eskasoni, a significant Mi’kmaw community, and Baddeck, known for its connection to Alexander Graham Bell. The area is part of the Bras d’Or Lake UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, recognized for its ecological and cultural importance (Mindat.org - Bras D'Or Lake howlite locality).

This locality is famous for producing the largest and finest howlite crystals globally. Howlite, a rare borate, is typically found as nodules elsewhere, but here it forms crystals up to 1 cm, colorless, white, or brown, in clusters within anhydrite cliffs. The geology consists of sedimentary rocks, with anhydrite transforming into gypsum when exposed to seawater, naturally revealing the crystals. This process is unique and tied to the lake's tidal influences (Tourism Nova Scotia - Iona and Area).

Culturally, the area is rich with Mi’kmaw traditions, accessible through Eskasoni Cultural Journeys offering music, dance, and storytelling, and Gaelic heritage at the Highland Village Museum, depicting Scottish settler life. The climate is maritime, with cold winters and mild summers, and the lake's subtle tides and sheltered coves support diverse wildlife like bald eagles and grey seals. Weather variability, including rough waves, adds to the challenge of collecting (McDougall Minerals - Howlite from Nova Scotia).