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Crystal Safeguards

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.*

Crystal	Caution
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.
Aventurine	Contains Aluminum.
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	Contains 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).
Bumble Bee Jasper	Contains toxic sulfur and arsenic
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	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	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.
Dalmatian Jasper	Contains Aluminum.
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	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.
Mica	Contains Aluminum.
Moonstone	Contains Aluminum.
Morganite	Contains Aluminum.
Muscovite	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 / Black Tourmaline	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 lead and antimony. Not recommended for elixirs.
Sugilite	Contains Aluminum.
Sulfur	Contains poisonous Sulfur.
Sunstone	Contains Aluminum.
Tanzanite (Gem variety of 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.
Unakite	Contains Aluminum and may also contain Zirconium (Radioactive).
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	Contains 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.}

Posted on February 17, 2009

Important information. I had no idea so many stones and crystals could be harmful. Thank you. (Submitted by: Doranne Brennan on March 03, 2020)

This article helped me out a lot. I need to know what crystals are safe to put in my water both to get their energies. (Submitted by: Ronnie on June 22, 2019)

Very helpful article. I do note, however, that the names of stones and metals are common nouns, not proper ones. They should not be capitalized. (Submitted by: TPW on April 12, 2019)

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