Toxic Crystals and StonesToxic Crystals and Stones

You may want to create gem water or crystal essence that you might be ingesting… Are you planning on including any possible toxic crystals and stones? To be safe, always check to be sure there are no toxic minerals in the crystals or stones you plan to use that can leech out into the water. If there is, there are safe, alternative methods to work with that stone’s energies. (Please refer to the Gem Water book on my Recommended Products page to learn about those methods.)

In addition, I highly recommend you read my blog post here to get a better understanding around working with potentially toxic minerals: WARNING: If Toxic Crystals Are So Bad, Why Do Some Recommend Them?

Toxic Crystals and Stones List

Hey Crystal Family…
PLEASE NOTE: This is by no means a comprehensive toxic crystals and stones list. Firstly, at the time of this writing (end of 2022) there are over 5800 Earth minerals and counting according to The International Mineralogical Association (IMA). Hibiscus Moon, LLC will no longer be updating this list as of Dec. 2022. As I’ve always advised in the past, please stick to your due diligence process, and do your own research in addition to checking here. When in doubt, do without! ♥
Crystal Blessings,
Actinolite
May contain asbestos. Not recommended for elixirs
Adamite
Contains arsenic and some copper
Ajoite
Contains aluminum and copper
Alexandrite
Contains aluminum
Amazonite
Contains copper
Atacamite
Contains copper
Aquamarine
Contains aluminum
Auricalcite
Contains zinc and copper
Azurite
Contains copper
Beryl Group
  • Bixbite
  • Emerald
  • Aquamarine
  • Goshenite
  • Heliodor
  • Morganite
Contains aluminum
Black Tourmaline
Contains aluminum
Boji-stones (aka Moqui Balls, Shaman Stone, Shamanic Star Stone)
Contains some sulphur, pyrite and/or marcasite
Bronchantite
Contains copper
Bumblebee "Jasper" (not tech. a jasper)
Contains some finely dispersed Cinnabar (see below), but in very minute amounts
Cavansite
Contains copper
Celestite
Contains strontium
Chalcantite
Contians copper
Chalcopyrite (peacock stone)
Contains copper and sulphur
Chrysocolla
Contains copper
Cinnabar
Contians mercury
Conicalcite
Contians copper
Copper
Can be poisonous depending on quantity
Covellite
Contains copper and sulphur
Cuprite
Contains copper
Dioptase
Contains copper
Dumortierite
Contains aluminum
Emerald
Contains aluminum
Fluorite
Contains fluorine
Fuchsite
Contains chromium
Garnet (Spessartine, Almandine, Uvarovite, Rhodolite,Hessonite)
Contains aluminum
Gem Silica
Contains copper
Galena
Contains lead
Garnierite (aka Falcondoite)
Contains nickel
Iolite
Contains aluminum
Kunzite
Contains aluminum
Labradorite
Contains aluminum
Lapis Lazuli
Contains pyrite
Lepidolite
Contains aluminum
Malachite
Contains copper
Markasite
Contains sulphur
Mohawkite
Contains copper and Arsenic
Moldavite
Contains aluminum oxide
Moonstone
Contains aluminum
Morganite
Contains aluminum
Pietersite
Fibrous form contains asbestos
Prehnite
Contains aluminum
Psiomelan
Contains barium
Pyrite
Contains sulphur
Realgar
Contains sulphur and arsenic
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
Topaz
Contains aluminum
Torbenite
Radioactive
Tourmaline
Contains aluminum
Tremolite
May contain asbestos
Turquoise
Contains copper and aluminum
Vanadinite
Contains vanadium
Variscite
Contains aluminum
Vesuvianite
Contains aluminum
Wavellite
Contains aluminum
Wulfenite
Contains lead and molybdenum
Zircon
Contains zirconium, radioactive
Zoisite
Contains aluminum

Radioactivity Concerns

Some granites emit radon from the decay of Uranium. The risk is low, however if you have concerns please download this publication: A Citizen’s Guide to Radon: The Guide to Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Radon. This guide offers strategies for testing your home for radon, discusses steps to take after you’ve tested, discussions of the risk of radon & radon myths. A test kit may be purchased here.

Radioactive Gems. You may have a valid concern if you own artificially irradiated crystals, gems or stones. Try to steer clear of the following:

  • deeply pigmented topaz
  • artificially dark (almost black) smokey quartz
  • very deep pink or red tourmaline
  • colored diamonds
  • deeply colored kunzite
  • some cultured pearls

STAY SAFE!