This page contains geological data that cautions one when using certain types of crystals/minerals. While most in the metaphysical/spiritual community only speak of the higher purpose properties, common sense must be taken into consideration when using these on a physical level. This page is a cautionary measure on stones that may be harmful in certain situations or specific types of minerals (raw versus tumbled, Fibrous versus crystallized or mass) , whether it be in Elixirs or prolonged holding, bathing, touching to skin, etc.

It is not meant to perpetuate fear or anxiety, but instead to educate and share our deep respect for the crystal and mineral kingdom. Most on the list are geared toward internal use with a few being cautionary for external use. A good rule of thumb is to make sure you wash your hands after using any crystal/mineral. It keeps our mineral friends clean and is a great way to show respect to ourselves and our crystal/mineral family.

Pay particular attention to the list when you are working with raw/natural specimens. I do not think tumbled stones, for the most part, would be harmful, with a few exceptions, such as Realgar.

NOTE: Before making any elixir or charging any water, it is a good idea to double check for any possible toxicity that may occur, if using several stones in combination, for elemental reactions between the stones. In fact, it would be best if each stone charges in its own container of water as opposed to putting four or five stones in the same container.

If you have any doubt, simply place the crystal/stone around and outside of the container.

Actinolite--Fibrous form is a type of asbestos. Not recommended for elixirs.
Adamite--Contains Arsenic (Arsenate) and trace amounts of copper which is toxic
Ajoite--Contains Aluminum, Copper
Alexandrite--Contains Aluminum
Amazonite--Trace amounts of Copper which is toxic
Amblygonite--Contains Aluminum
Andaluscite--Contains Aluminum
Atacamite-- Contains poisonous/toxic Copper
Auricalcite-- Contains Zinc and Copper which is toxic
Axinite--Contains Aluminum, Iron
Azurite--Contains Copper, Toxic
Bastnaesite--The chemical makeup of Bastnaesite does contain toxic elements which can react when combined with water.
Beryl Group (Aquamarine, Goshenite, Heliodor, Morganite)--Contains Aluminum
Brazilianite--Contains Aluminum--not recommended to use in its raw form
Bronchantite--Copper Hydrated Sulphate, Toxic
Boji Stones (Kansas Pop Rocks, aka Concretin)--Contains Sulfur, Pyrite and/or Marcasite which is toxic (*also could be a fire hazard)
Chalcopyrite--AKA Peacock Ore contains copper and sulfur which can be toxic
Chrysoberyl--Contains Aluminum
Chrysocolla--Contains poisonous/toxic copper. Safe for handling but not for use in elixirs.
Cinnabar--Contains mercury which can be poisonous/toxic Wash hands after holding. Do not touch hands to eyes or mouth while holding.
Conichalcite--Contains poisonous/toxic copper
Copper--Poisonous
Covellite--Contains poisonous/toxic Copper
Crocoite--Contains poisonous/toxic levels of Chromium. Do not touch hands to eyes or mouth while holding. Do not ingest.
Cuprite--Contains poisonous/toxic copper. Wash hands after holding. Do not touch hands to eyes or mouth while holding.
Dioptase--Contains poisonous/toxic copper. Safe for handling but not for use in elixirs.
Dumortierite--Contains Aluminum
Emerald--Contains Aluminum
Epidote--Contains Aluminum
Feldspar Group--(Labradorite, Moonstone, Orthoclase, etc) Contains Aluminum
Galena--Contains high amounts of lead which can be poisonous
Garnet--(Spessartine, Uvarovite, Rhodolite,Hessonite) Contains Aluminum
Gem Silica-- Contains poisonous/toxic copper. Safe for handling but not for use in elixirs.
Halite--Unfit for elixir use--will dissolve in water
Hematite--Unfit for elixir use--will rust with prolonged exposure in liquid
Hiddenite (Spodumene)--Contains Aluminum
Idocrase--Contains Aluminum
Iolite--Contains Aluminum
Jadeite--Contains Aluminum and Iron
Kyanite--Contains Aluminum
Labradorite--Contains Aluminum
Lapis Lazuli-- Contains Sulfur and possible Pyrite inclusions which are poisonous
Lazulite--Contains Aluminum
Lazurite--Contains Aluminum, Sulfur
Lepidolite--Contains Aluminum
Magnetite-- Iron will rust, DO NOT use in elixirs or charging water
Malachite--Contains poisonous/toxic copper
Marcasite--Marcasite with time and exposure to oxygen, may form a white powdery substance/residue which is poisonous/toxic Sulfuric Acid.) If this occurs you should not wear next to the skin or touch. Not recommended for Elixirs.
Moonstone--Contains Aluminum
Morganite--Contains Aluminum
Orpiment--HIGHLY TOXIC levels of Arsenic. Wash hands after use, keep away from CHILDREN!! Do not put hands near eyes or mouth before washing hands.
Pargasite-- contains Aluminum so it is not recommended for elixirs or immersing in water to charge it.
Pietersite--Similar to Tiger's Eye. Fibrous form contains asbestos. Not recommended to use raw forms for elixirs.
Prehnite--Contains Aluminum
Psilomelane--Contains poisonous/toxic Barium
Pyrite--Pyrite may contain intermixed Marcasite. The Marcasite with time and exposure to oxygen, may form a white powdery substance/residue which is poisonous/toxic Sulfuric Acid.) If this occurs you should not wear next to the skin or touch. Not recommended for Elixirs.
Quantum stone/Quantum Quattro Silica--Contains poisonous/toxic copper
Realgar **--HIGHLY TOXIC levels of Arsenic. Wash hands after use, keep away from CHILDREN!! Do not put hands near eyes or mouth before washing hands.
Ruby--Contains Aluminum
Sapphire--Contains Aluminum
Scapolite--Contains Aluminum
Schorl--Contains Aluminum
Selenite--Unfit for internal ingestion--tiny shards may break off in water
Serpentine--Fibrous forms are asbestos. Wash hands after use. Not recommended in elixir preparation.
Smithsonite--Contains zinc and may contain copper (green Smithsonite) Safe for handling but may be Poisonous/toxic when used in elixirs.
Sodalite--Contains Aluminum
Spinel--Contains Aluminum
Spodumene-- Contains Aluminum
Staurolite--Contains Aluminum and Iron
Stibnite--Contains lead and antimony. Not recommended for elixirs.
Stilbite--Contains Aluminum
Sugilite--Contains Aluminum
Sulfur--Contains poisonous Sulfur
Sunstone--Contains Aluminum
Tanzanite--Gem variety of Zoisite. Zoisite contains Aluminum.
Tiger Eye--Fibrous form contains asbestos. Not recommended to use raw forms for elixirs.
Topaz--Contains Aluminum
Torbenite--Radioactive
Tourmaline--Contains Aluminum
Tremolite--Fibrous forms are asbestos. Not recommended for Elixirs. Wash hands after use.
Turquoise--Contains poisonous/toxic copper and Aluminum. Safe for handling but not for use in elixirs.
Ulexite-- Contains toxic Boron
Vanadinite--Contains poisonous Vanadium
Variscite--Contains Aluminum
Vesuvianite--Contains Aluminum
Wavellite--Contains Aluminum
Wulfenite--Contains poisonous Lead & Molybdenum. Safe for handling but not for use in elixirs.
Zircon--Contain Zirconium, Radioactive
Zoisite--Contains Aluminum

*Original List provided with permission by Liz Gunther and Peggy Jentoff .
*Additions/corrections have been made by Kristi Huggins, Author/Expert Contributor and Steve Garza.

Did you like this article?   

Do you have any questions or opinions to share?  

Visit our Healing Crystals Forum
- Ask questions.
- Post your opinions.
- Connect with others today.