Crystal Cautions

This list is an ongoing work in progress. It contains geological data that can help to protect you 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 following list 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.

This list is not meant to perpetuate fear or anxiety, but to educate and share our deep respect for the crystal and mineral kingdom. Most on the list caution against 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 our crystal/mineral family and our selves.

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
Andalusite--Contains Aluminum
Angelsite-- Contains lead. Do not grind dry or inhale dust. Wash hands after handling.
Anorthite--Contains Aluminum. Be careful when using for products that are ingested.
Antlerite--Contains poisonous/toxic Copper
Atacamite--Contains poisonous/toxic Copper
Auricalcite--Contains Zinc and Copper which is toxic
Axinite--Contains Aluminum, Iron
Azurite--Contains Copper, Toxic
Bastnaesite- Contains toxic Cerium and other chemicals
Beryl Group (Aquamarine, Emerald, Goshenite, Heliodor, Morganite)-ALL contain Aluminum. Be careful when using for products that are ingested.
Bismuth- Metallic, Very Soft, Member of the Arsenic Group
Boji Stones ™(Kansas Pop Rocks, aka Concretin)--Contains Sulfur, Pyrite and/or Marcasite which is toxic (*also could be a fire hazard)
Brazilianite--Contains Aluminum--not recommended to use in its raw form
Bronchantite--Copper Hydrated Sulphate, Toxic
Cassiterite-- aka Tin Stone. Most compounds of tin are toxic (poisonous). Tin compounds are most likely to present a hazard when they get into the air. Then, they may be inhaled, after which they can cause problems such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and cramps. On a personal note, I do not think ingestion would be a good idea either :)
Cavansite-- Contains poisonous Vanadium
Cerrusite--Contains Lead. Wash hands after handling, avoid inhaling dust when breaking.
Chalcanthite--a water-soluble copper sulphate which is poisonous/toxic
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.
Chrysotile (Chrysotite)--Contains asbestos. Caution should be taken when handling raw material. Wash hands after holding. Do not touch hands to eyes or mouth while holding. Tumbled stones have locked the asbestos into the quartz and are the safest option. DO NOT directly insert this stone into liquids for elixirs, baths, or drinking water.
Cinnabar--Contains Mercury, which can be poisonous/toxic. Wash hands after holding. Do not touch hands to eyes or mouth while holding.
Columbite--Since this is a metallic specimen, I do not recommend putting it into any type of liquid for elixirs, baths, or charging water.
Copper--Pure Copper can be toxic when there is excess copper in drinking water or other environmental sources. Not recommended to use directly in elixirs or charging water.
Covellite--Contains poisonous/toxic Copper Sulfides
Creedite - Contains Aluminum. May grow in association with Wulfenite or Vanadinite. DO NOT immerse in water as there is a very good chance it will break apart causing additional health concerns.
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.
Diaspore--Contains Aluminum. Be careful when using for products that are ingested.
Dumortierite--Contains Aluminum. Be careful when using for products that are ingested.
Epidote--Contains Aluminum. Be careful when using for products that are ingested.
Euclase- Contains Aluminum. Be careful when using for products that are ingested.
Feldspar Group--(Labradorite, Moonstone, Sunstone, etc ) Contains Aluminum. Be careful when using for products that are ingested.
Fiedlerite--Contains lead which can be poisonous
Fuchsite-- Contains Aluminum. Not recommended for ingestion (elixir, waters, etc) as soft materials can break off into liquid. Use OUTSIDE of container instead.
Galena--Contains high amounts of Lead which can be poisonous
Garnet Group (Almandine, Andradite, Grossular, Pyrope, Spessartine, Uvarovite) ALL contain Aluminum
Gem Silica--Contains poisonous/toxic Copper. Safe for handling but not for use in elixirs.
Gaspeite- Due to its iron content and softness, I would personally not put this in an liquid for elixirs or water. I would put it on the outside of the container instead.
Gilalite (Medusa)- 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 (oxidize) with prolonged exposure in liquid.
Heulandite-- Heulendite does contain aluminum, but more so, it is a soft (3.5-4) mineral, so submerging in a liquid for elixirs or charging water is discouraged.
Hiddenite (Spodumene)--Contains Aluminum
Idocrase--Contains Aluminum. Be careful when using for products that are ingested.
Iolite--Contains Aluminum. Be careful when using for products that are ingested.
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 (oxidize), 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.
Mimetite - A secondary mineral found in the oxidized zones of lead mineral deposits and in other settings where lead and arsenic occur together. Also commonly associated with Wulfenite, Vanadinite, Smithsonite and Malachite, All of which are members of this list :) DO NOT immerse in water. Wash hands immediately after handling.
Moonstone--Contains Aluminum
Muscovite-- Contains Aluminum. Not recommended for ingestion (elixir, waters, etc) as soft materials can break off into liquid. Use OUTSIDE of container instead.
Orpiment--HIGHLY TOXIC levels of Arsenic. Wash hands after use and 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 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 and 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
Seraphinite (Serafinite or Serafina)--Contains Aluminum
Serpentine--Fibrous forms are asbestos. Please wash hands after use. Not recommended in elixir preparation.
Sodalite--Contains Aluminum
Spinel--Contains Aluminum
Stibnite--Contains Lead and Antimony. Not recommended for elixirs.
Smithsonite--Contains Zinc and may contain Copper (green Smithsonite). Safe for handling but may be Poisonous/toxic when used in elixirs.
Spodumene--Contains Aluminum
Staurolite--Contains Aluminum and Iron
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. Please 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 freely with permission by Liz Gunther and Peggy Jentoff.

I have made additions and corrections after extensive research and with the help of a variety of online folk just like you. This list has been shared all over the web as well as in The Gemstone Healing Guide. I encourage you to share it too. This list is constantly edited for additions and deletions.

Last updated 05-13-2013

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Original Images, Photographs and Crystal KaleidoScape Art are the property of Mira Bai and MoonCave Crystals. Submitted and Approved through the US Copyright Office.
Do not copy or use without expressed written permission. All Rights Reserved ~ MoonCave Crystals Creative Designs© 2003-2013

The material on this website is not meant to take the place of diagnosis and treatment by a qualified medical practitioner. Crystals should not be used in the place of traditional therapies but solely as a complementary means for bringing about health and well being. No expressed or implied guarantee as to the effects of crystal use can be given nor liability taken. Gemstones and crystals are to be used at your own discretion. Any application of the recommendations is at user's sole risk. MoonCave Crystals Creative Designs disclaims any liability arising directly or indirectly from the use of this information and assumes no responsibility for any actions taken.