Understanding Crystal Toxicity

Crystals to Handle with Caution

 

Crystals are composed of elements and minerals from the earth. Our bodies are also composed of elements and minerals from the earth. To ensure you do not overload your system with too many toxins, it is important to understand the toxicity of the different crystals you will be using.

Tumbled, polish crystals are much safer than raw exposed crystals because they are sealed with oils, reducing toxicity risk. Raw crystals are not sealed, and they have loose pieces and dust that may be toxic. If you are only handling a crystal for a short period of time (like creating a grid), that is much different than holding that stone for long periods of time (30 mins or more) during a meditation. The exposure length has a consideration in the toxicity concern.

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NOTE:

Caution is recommended when choosing crystals to use in elixirs, where the crystals are placed in drinking water. There are many toxins that may leach out of the crystal when moistened. Some crystals are quite soft and can flake with use as well.

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Due to the possibility of crystal toxicity, I would suggest using the type of water bottles that has a separate compartment on the bottom for crystals.

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The main reason one would put crystals in water in the first place, is so the water absorbs the energy of the crystals. Crystals emit energy. They do not have to be in the water for the water to absorb the crystal’s energy. Water can absorb the crystal’s energy through matter and especially if you set an intention for that purpose. Just as moon water, which is water charged by moonlight, does not have to have the moon in it for the water to absorb the moon’s energy.

When working with crystals always remember to wash your hands off with cold water to wash away any toxins you may have picked up. Cold water keeps your pores closed, limiting the amount of toxins you will be exposed to as you wash your hands.

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It is also good to note that some crystals are artificially radiated and can emit radioactive energy. Also, some forms of granite emit radon, so being mindful of how much time you spend around these types of crystals is important.

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Crystals to handle with caution:

 

Actinolite– May contain asbestos.

Adamite– Contains arsenic and some copper

Ajoite– Contains aluminum and copper

Alexandrite– Contains aluminum

Amazonite– Contains copper

Amber - Contains toxic dust, fumes, bacteria, and viruses (digestive toxicity)

Angelite - Contains Lead and Sulphur

Anthophyllite - asbestos

Aquamarine– Contains aluminum

Aragonite - sometimes contains lead.

Atacamite– Contains copper

Aurichalcite– Contains zinc and copper

Azurite– Contains copper

Beryl Group – These crystals contain aluminum.

·      Bixbyite

·      Emerald

·      Aquamarine

·      Goshenite

·      Heliodor

·      Morganite

Black Tourmaline– Contains aluminum

Boji-stones – Contains some sulphur, Pyrite and/or marcasite

Brochantite – Contains copper

Cavansite– Contains copper

Celestite– Contains strontium and aluminum

Chalcanthite– Contains copper

Chalcopyrite (peacock ore) – Contains copper and sulphur

Chrysocolla– Contains copper

Chrysoprase - Contains nickel

Cinnabar – Contains mercury (VERY TOXIC)

Conicalcite – Contains copper

Copper – Poisonous

Covellite – Contains copper and sulphur

Crocidolite - Contains asbestos

Cuprite – Contains copper

Dioptase – Contains copper

Dumortierite – Contains aluminum

Emerald – Contains aluminum

Feldspar - Contains aluminum

Fluorite – Contains fluorine, source of dangerous gas hydro fluoride

Garnet (Spessartine, Almandine, Uvarovite,

Rhodonite, Hessonite) – Contains aluminum

Gem Silica – Contains copper

Galena – Contains lead

Garnierite (aka Falcondoite) – Contains nickel

Hematite – Will rust (high iron), but not toxic.

Howlite - boron, boron oxide, borate

Iolite – Contains aluminum

Jade (Jadeite) - Contains aluminum, iron.

Jade (Nephrite) - Contains aluminum, iron, titanium.

Kambaba Jasper - Contains cyanobacteria and possible cyanotoxins.

Kansas Pop Rocks - may contain sulphur.

Kunzite – Contains aluminum

Labradorite – Contains aluminum

Lapis Lazuli – Contains pyrite, copper, and sulphur

Lepidolite – Contains aluminum

Magnetite – Will rust, but not toxic

Malachite – Contains copper

Marcasite – Contains sulphur

Mohawkite – Contains copper and Arsenic

Moldavite – Contains aluminum oxide

Moonstone – Contains aluminum

Morganite – Contains aluminum

Ocean Jasper - Contains iron

Opal - Contains toxic dust for inhalation (pipes)

Pietersite – The fibrous form contains asbestos

Prehnite – Contains aluminum

Psilomelane – Contains barium

Pyrite – Contains sulphur (when mixed with water makes sulphuric acid)

Quartz (all types) - Contains toxic dust for inhalation (pipes)

Realgar – Contains sulphur and arsenic

Rhodochrosite (Rhodochrosite) - Contains lead

Rose Quartz - Contains iron / titanium.

Ruby – Contains aluminum

Sapphire – Contains aluminum

Selenite – Although not toxic, friable; tiny shards may break off in water

Serpentine – Fibrous form contains asbestos

Smithsonite – May contain copper

Sodalite – Contains aluminum

Spinel – Contains aluminum

Spodumene (aka Kunzite) – Contains aluminum

Staurolite – Contains aluminum

Stibnite – Contains lead and antimony

Stilbite – Contains aluminum

Sugilite – Contains aluminum

Sulfur – Poisonous

Sunstone – Contains aluminum

Tanzanite –Gem variety of Zoisite. – Contains aluminum

Tiger Eye – Fibrous form contains asbestos (Very Toxic)

Topaz – Contains aluminum

Torbernite – Radioactive

Tourmaline – Contains aluminum

Tremolite – May contain asbestos

Turquoise – Contains copper and aluminum

Unakite - Contains aluminum and iron

Vanadinite – Contains vanadium

Variscite – Contains aluminum

Vesuvianite – Contains aluminum

Wavellite – Contains aluminum

Wulfenite – Contains lead and molybdenum

Zircon – Contains zirconium, radioactive

Zoisite – Contains aluminum 2,5

 

Radioactivity Concerns

Some forms of granite emit radon from the decay of Uranium. Radioactive gems or artificially irradiated crystals, gems or stones may be radioactive. Try to steer clear of the following:

·      Very deeply pigmented topaz

·      Artificially dark (almost black) Smokey quartz

·      Pink or red tourmaline and deeply colored crystals

·      Colored Diamonds

·      Treated Kunzite and Cultured Pearls