This is by no means a comprehensive toxic crystals and stones list & I am always adding to & tweaking it. Please always do your own research in addition to checking here. When in doubt, do without!
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 copperBeryl Group
- Bixbite
- Emerald
- Aquamarine
- Goshenite
- Heliodor
- Morganite
Black Tourmaline
Contains aluminum
Boji-stones (aka Moqui Balls,
Shaman Stone, Shamanic Star Stone)
Contains some sulphur, pyrite and/or marcasite
Bronchantite
Contains copper
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
Poisonous
Covellite
Contains copper and sulphur
Cuprite
Contains copper
Dioptase
Contains copper
Dumortierite
Contains aluminum
Emerald
Contains aluminum
Fluorite
Contains fluorine
Garnet (Spessartine, Almandine, Uvarovite, Rhodolite,Hessonite)
Contains aluminum
Gem Silica
Contains copper
Galena
Contains lead
Garnierite (aka Falcondoite)
Contains nickel
Hematite
Will rust, but not toxic
Iolite
Contains aluminum
Kunzite
Contains aluminum
Labradorite
Contains aluminum
Lapis Lazuli
Contains pyrite
Lepidolite
Contains aluminum
Magnetite
Will rust, but not toxic
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
Tiger Eye
Fibrous form contains asbestos
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.
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