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 (coated) 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 (or are new to crystals and their chemical composition), simply place the crystal/stone around and outside of the container. You will still get the same results.*
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Crystal |
Caution |
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Fibrous form is a type of asbestos. Not recommended for elixirs. |
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Contains Arsenic (Arsenate) and trace amounts of copper which is toxic. |
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Contains Aluminum, Copper. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Trace amounts of Copper which is toxic. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Atacamite |
Contains poisonous/toxic copper. |
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Auricalcite |
Contains Zinc and Copper which is toxic. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Contains Aluminum, Iron. |
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Contains Copper, Toxic. |
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The chemical makeup of Bastnaesite does contain toxic elements which can react when combined with water. |
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Beryl Group (Aquamarine, Goshenite, Heliodor, Morganite) |
Contains Aluminum. |
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Contains Aluminum not recommended to use in its raw form. |
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Bronchantite |
Contains Copper Hydrated Sulphate, Toxic. |
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Boji Stones (Kansas Pop Rocks, aka Concretin) |
Contains Sulfur, Pyrite and/or Marcasite which is toxic (*also could be a fire hazard). |
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Chalcopyrite AKA Peacock Ore |
Contains copper and sulfur which can be toxic. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Contains poisonous/toxic copper. Safe for handling but not for use in elixirs. |
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Cinnabar Contains mercury which can be poisonous/toxic Wash hands after holding. Do not touch hands to eyes or mouth while holding. |
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Conichalcite |
Contains poisonous/toxic copper. |
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Contains poisonous/toxic copper. |
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Crocoite |
Contains poisonous/toxic levels of Chromium. Do not touch hands to eyes or mouth while holding. Do not ingest. |
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Contains poisonous/toxic copper. Wash hands after holding. Do not touch hands to eyes or mouth while holding. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Contains poisonous/toxic copper. Safe for handling but not for use in elixirs. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Feldspar Group (Labradorite, Moonstone, Orthoclase, etc) |
Contains Aluminum. |
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Contains high amounts of lead which can be poisonous. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Gem Silica |
Contains poisonous/toxic copper. Safe for handling but not for use in elixirs. |
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Unfit for elixir use will dissolve in water. |
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Unfit for elixir use will rust with prolonged exposure in liquid. |
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Hiddenite (Spodumene) |
Contains Aluminum. |
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Idocrase. |
Contains Aluminum. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Contains Aluminum and Iron. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Contains Sulfur and possible Pyrite inclusions which are poisonous. |
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Lazulite |
Contains Aluminum. |
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Lazurite |
Contains Aluminum, Sulfur. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Magnetite |
Iron will rust, DO NOT use in elixirs or charging water. |
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Contains poisonous/toxic copper. |
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Marcasite |
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. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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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. |
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Contains Aluminum so it is not recommended for elixirs or immersing in water to charge it. |
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Similar to Tiger's Eye. Fibrous form contains asbestos. Not recommended to use raw forms for elixirs. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Psilomelane |
Contains poisonous/toxic Barium. |
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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. |
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Contains poisonous/toxic copper. |
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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. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Unfit for internal ingestion tiny shards may break off in water. |
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Fibrous forms are asbestos. Wash hands after use. Not recommended in elixir preparation. |
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Smithsonite |
Contains zinc and may contain copper (green Smithsonite) Safe for handling but may be Poisonous/toxic when used in elixirs. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Staurolite |
Contains Aluminum and Iron. |
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Contains lead and antimony. Not recommended for elixirs. |
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Contains lead and antimony. Not recommended for elixirs. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Contains poisonous Sulfur. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Fibrous form contains asbestos. Not recommended to use raw forms for elixirs. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Torbenite |
Radioactive. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Tremolite |
Fibrous forms are asbestos. Not recommended for Elixirs. Wash hands after use. |
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Contains poisonous/toxic copper and Aluminum. Safe for handling but not for use in elixirs. |
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Ulexite |
Contains toxic Boron. |
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Contains Aluminum and may also contain Zirconium (Radioactive). |
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Vanadinite |
Contains poisonous Vanadium. |
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Variscite |
Contains Aluminum. |
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Contains Aluminum. |
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Wavellite |
Contains Aluminum. |
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Wulfenite |
Contains poisonous Lead & Molybdenum. Safe for handling but not for use in elixirs. |
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Contains Zirconium, Radioactive. |
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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.
 Very helpful and confirmed my wanting to know how they chemically react (Submitted by: Veronica on August 20, 2018) |
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| Extremely informative. Thank you for caring enough to educate this novice. (Submitted by: Sunshine on July 11, 2018) |
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| really appreciate the information. i am new to crystals and appreciate all the help i can get. (Submitted by: sandra on March 25, 2018) |
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