Crystal Cautions and Safeguards
In addition to our general information below, we would also like to provide this information about crystals that may dissolve, crack, develop rust, or be otherwise damaged when exposed to water or other liquids over time. It's not to say that if your crystal touches water, it will instantly dissolve, this is simply not true, but it can become damaged over time. This list is not all-inclusive and many crystals not listed here may crack if exposed to hot water.
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Crystal |
Reason |
|---|---|
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Salt water can cause fractures |
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Can break apart if fragile (and over time) |
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Will rust |
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Halite |
Will dissolve |
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Can rust |
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Can dissolve over time |
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Will flake apart especially if in its natural state because it's flaky |
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Lodestone |
Can rust |
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Can break in hot water and it's toxic |
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Can break in hot water |
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Muscovite |
Can flake apart |
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All forms can break from extreme liquid temperatures |
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Can break or crack in extreme liquid temperatures |
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Pearls |
Will lose luster and can break |
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Combined with water produces sulfuric acid |
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Can dissolve over time and if the fibrous piece is fragile |
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Turquoise |
Can fade |
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Ulexite |
Can dissolve |
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 |
|---|---|
|
Trace amounts of Copper which is toxic. |
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Contains Aluminium. |
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Azurite |
Contains Copper, Toxic. |
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Beryl Group (Aquamarine, Goshenite, Heliodor, Morganite) |
Contains Aluminium. |
|
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). |
| Contains toxic sulfur and arsenic | |
|
Chalcopyrite AKA Peacock Ore |
Contains copper and sulfur which can be toxic. |
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Chrysoberyl |
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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Contains poisonous/toxic copper. |
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Contains Aluminium. |
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Contains poisonous/toxic copper. Safe for handling but not for use in elixirs. |
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Contains Aluminium. |
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Contains Aluminium. |
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Contains Aluminium. |
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Feldspar Group (Labradorite, Moonstone, Orthoclase, etc) |
Contains Aluminium. |
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Contains high amounts of lead which can be poisonous. |
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Contains Aluminium. |
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Halite |
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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Contains Aluminium. |
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Contains Aluminium. |
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Contains Aluminium and Iron. |
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Contains Aluminium. |
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Contains Aluminium. |
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Contains Sulfur and possible Pyrite inclusions which are poisonous. |
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Contains Aluminium. |
|
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Magnetite |
Iron will rust, DO NOT use in elixirs or charging water. |
|
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. |
|
Contains Aluminium. |
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Contains Aluminium. |
|
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Muscovite |
Contains Aluminium. |
|
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. |
|
Similar to Tiger's Eye. Fibrous form contains asbestos. Not recommended to use raw forms for elixirs. |
|
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Contains Aluminium. |
|
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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. |
|
|
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. |
|
Contains Aluminium. |
|
|
Contains Aluminium. |
|
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Scapolite |
Contains Aluminium. |
|
Contains Aluminium. |
|
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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. |
|
Contains Aluminium. |
|
|
Spinel |
Contains Aluminium. |
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Staurolite |
Contains Aluminium and Iron. |
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Stibnite |
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 Aluminium. |
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Contains Aluminium. |
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Contains Aluminium. |
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Fibrous form contains asbestos. Not recommended to use raw forms for elixirs. |
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Contains Aluminium. |
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Torbenite |
Radioactive. |
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Contains Aluminium. |
|
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Tremolite |
Fibrous forms are asbestos. Not recommended for Elixirs. Wash hands after use. |
|
Turquoise |
Contains poisonous/toxic copper and Aluminium. Safe for handling but not for use in elixirs. |
|
Contains Aluminium and may also contain Zirconium (Radioactive). |
|
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Contains poisonous Vanadium. |
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Contains Aluminium. |
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Contains Aluminium. |
|
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Zircon |
Contains Zirconium, Radioactive. |
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Contains Aluminium. |