One of the ways stones have been used in history is to make gem elixirs. They can have wonderful healing properties and can be very useful in transfering the properties of the stone into your body directly. However, there are some stones that must never be used in the making of elixirs as they can be horribly toxic. Typically they are stones containing copper, lead, arsenic, cadmium, aluminum, barium or mercury. Typically, it’s best to avoid making elixirs and massage oils of any stone/ mineral/ crystals containing any kind of metal. If you don't know the chemical make-up of the kind of rock you have - avoid any blue or green stone, because most of the blue and green stones get their color fromits copper contents, especially the bright colored ones. Also avoid any shiny, metal-like stone, because most metals are toxic to humans. Stones that contain arsenic or mercury must never be worn or even handled without gloves due to their high level of toxicity. If you are ever unsure, please find a chemical evaluation of your chosen stone before use. Listed below is a small (and very incomplete) list of stones that must not be ingested in any form whatsoever.
Amazonite - use with caution, the color is a result of traces of copper
Atacamite - poisonous (copper)
Auricalcite - Poisonous (zinc and copper)
Azurite - poisonous (copper)
Boji-stones - unfit - (contains some sulfur)
Bronchantite - unfit and poisonous (copper)
Chalcantite - poisonous (copper)
Chalcopyrite - poisonous (copper and sulfur)
Cinnabar - poisonous (mercury/quicksilver)
Conachalcite - poisonous (copper)
Copper - poisonous
Chrysocolla - poisonous (copper)
Cuprite - poisonous (copper)
Dioptase - poisonous (copper)
Gem Silica - poisonous (copper)
Galena/ Galenite - poisonous (almost 90 percent lead)
Garnierite (Genthite/ Falcondoite) - Contains nickel
Halite - Will dissolve in water (technically ediable when purified but can contain harmful minerals and bacteria when not.)
Hematite - will rust
Lapis Lazuli - poisonous (pyrite inclusions)
Magnetite - unfit (Iron, will rust)
Marcasite - poisonous (sulfur) (same chemical make-up as pyrite)
Mohawkite - poisonous (copper, ARSENIC etc. Keep away from children!)
Psiomelan - poisonous (barium)
Pyrite (fool's gold) - poisonous (sulphur)
Realgar - poisonous (sulfur and ARSENIC. Keep away from children!)
Stibnite - has Lead, Antimony
Smithsonite (Galmei/Zinc spar) - poisonous (zinc. May also contain copper)
Ulexite - The rock will lose its luster when in contact with water
Vanadanite - Poisonous (lead)
Wulfenite - Poisonous (lead and molybdenum)
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