I know this thread is a couple years old .. but it should be sticky'd so it is available for everyone and yes, it is a must read.. and to that end I have decided to update it with a couple links and a list for everyone... You may not have used all of these but I can giarantee you have done at least a couple!! And I don't think it is in there but sandstone!!!!.....can cause silicosous of the lugs which could lead to fibrosouos (sp) and they are both forever!!
Here's some good links to explain it all better!!!
www.snobappealjewelry.com/blog/2012/12/lapidary-safety-know-the-hazards-of-what-you-are-cutting/ www.gemcutters.org/LDA/RockDustDangers.htmand here's my list .... Enjoy !!!
Actinolite--Fibrous form is a type of asbestos. Not recommended for elixirs.
Adamite--Contains Arsenic (Arsenate) and trace amounts of Copper which is toxic.
Ajoite--Contains Aluminum, Copper
Alexandrite--Contains Aluminum
Amazonite--Trace amounts of Copper which is toxic
Amblygonite--Contains Aluminum
Andalusite--Contains Aluminum
Atacamite--Contains poisonous/toxic Copper
Auricalcite--Contains Zinc and Copper which is toxic
Axinite--Contains Aluminum, Iron
Azurite--Contains Copper, Toxic
Beryl Group (Aquamarine, Emerald, Goshenite, Heliodor, Morganite)-ALL contain Aluminum
Brazilianite--Contains Aluminum--not recommended to use in its raw form
Bronchantite--Copper Hydrated Sulphate, Toxic
Boji Stonesã (Kansas Pop Rocks, aka Concretin)--Contains Sulfur, Pyrite and/or Marcasite which is toxic (*also could be a fire hazard)
Chalcopyrite--AKA Peacock Ore contains Copper and Sulfur which can be toxic
Chrysoberyl--Contains Aluminum
Chrysocolla--Contains poisonous/toxic Copper. Safe for handling but not for use in elixirs.
Cinnabar--Contains Mercury, which can be poisonous/toxic. Wash hands after holding. Do not touch hands to eyes or mouth while holding.
Copper--Poisonous
Covellite--Contains poisonous/toxic Copper
Crocoite--Contains poisonous/toxic levels of Chromium. Do not touch hands to eyes or mouth while holding. Do not ingest.
Cuprite--Contains poisonous/toxic Copper. Wash hands after holding. Do not touch hands to eyes or mouth while holding.
Dioptase--Contains poisonous/toxic Copper. Safe for handling but not for use in elixirs.
Dumortierite--Contains Aluminum
Epidote--Contains Aluminum
Feldspar Group--(Labradorite, Moonstone, Orthoclase, etc) Contains Aluminum
Galena--Contains high amounts of Lead which can be poisonous
Garnet Group (Almandine, Andradite, Grossular, Pyrope, Spessartine, Uvarovite) ALL contain Aluminum
Gem Silica--Contains poisonous/toxic Copper. Safe for handling but not for use in elixirs.
Halite--Unfit for elixir use--will dissolve in water.
Hematite--Unfit for elixir use--will rust (oxidize) with prolonged exposure in liquid.
Hiddenite (Spodumene)--Contains Aluminum
Idocrase--Contains Aluminum
Iolite--Contains Aluminum
Jadeite--Contains Aluminum and Iron
Kyanite--Contains Aluminum
Labradorite--Contains Aluminum
Lapis Lazuli--Contains Sulfur and possible Pyrite inclusions which are poisonous
Lazulite--Contains Aluminum
Lazurite--Contains Aluminum, Sulfur
Lepidolite--Contains Aluminum
Magnetite--Iron will rust (oxidize), DO NOT use in elixirs or charging water
Malachite--Contains poisonous/toxic Copper
Marcasite--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.
Moonstone--Contains Aluminum
Orpiment--HIGHLY TOXIC levels of Arsenic. Wash hands after use and keep away from CHILDREN!! Do not put hands near eyes or mouth before washing hands.
Pietersite--similar to Tiger Eye. Fibrous form contains Asbestos. Not recommended to use raw forms for elixirs.
Prehnite--Contains Aluminum
Psilomelane--Contains poisonous/toxic Barium
Pyrite--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 and keep away from CHILDREN!! Do not put hands near eyes or mouth before washing hands.
Ruby--Contains Aluminum
Sapphire--Contains Aluminum
Scapolite--Contains Aluminum
Schorl--Contains Aluminum
Selenite--Unfit for internal ingestion--tiny shards may break off in water
Serpentine--Fibrous forms are asbestos. Please wash hands after use. Not recommended in elixir preparation.
Sodalite--Contains Aluminum
Spinel--Contains Aluminum
Stibnite--Contains Lead and Antimony. Not recommended for elixirs.
Smithsonite--Contains Zinc and may contain Copper (green Smithsonite). Safe for handling but may be Poisonous/toxic when used in elixirs.
Spodumene--Contains Aluminum
Staurolite--Contains Aluminum and Iron
Stilbite--Contains Aluminum
Sugilite--Contains Aluminum
Sulfur--Contains poisonous Sulfur
Sunstone--Contains Aluminum
Tanzanite--Gem variety of Zoisite. Zoisite contains Aluminum.
Tiger Eye--Fibrous form contains asbestos. Not recommended to use raw forms for elixirs.
Topaz--Contains Aluminum
Torbenite--Radioactive
Tourmaline--Contains Aluminum
Tremolite--Fibrous forms are asbestos. Not recommended for Elixirs. Please wash hands after use.
Turquoise--Contains poisonous/toxic Copper and Aluminum. Safe for handling, but not for use in elixirs.
Ulexite--Contains toxic Boron
Vanadinite--Contains poisonous Vanadium
Variscite--Contains Aluminum
Vesuvianite--Contains Aluminum
Wavellite--Contains Aluminum
Wulfenite--Contains poisonous Lead & Molybdenum. Safe for handling but not for use in elixirs.
Zircon--Contain Zirconium, Radioactive
Zoisite--Contains Aluminum
*Original List provided freely with permission by Liz Gunther and Peggy
Jentoff.
I have made additions and corrections after extensive research and help
from Steve Garza.
Kind of makes you think doesn't it !!??