Is your crystal Toxic? (A's)

There are many crystals that are toxic when put in water, and many that are toxic out of water. Use this list to see if yours is and how you should store it if it is.

As the list is too long for one blog post, this is the first part and covers the "A's".

For the rest of the alphabet, please see the other blog posts.

It is always advised to avoid making potions with gems that are toxic (even if only by a little bit) and should also avoid placing gems inside the body.

Many toxic gems listed include aluminium and a few other elements which are only toxic in exceptionally high doses.

Once polished, stones are generally fine to wear and use but you should be careful if you are the one cutting and polishing them (wear a mask to avoid breathing in particles) and be careful if they should break.

The last 2 columns are completed to the best of my knowledge - I have not heard of many of these stones and some have surprised me but generally speaking, if it's toxic and rough, put it in a box, if it's polished then it has a layer of protection on it so should be safe. It's always best to err on the side of caution though.

Name	Toxicity Risk	What makes it toxic	What should I do with it if its rough?	Is it ok polished?
Actinolite	Low	Asbestos	As it is low toxicity it should be fine but be careful handling and wash hands after just in case	Yes - be careful if it breaks
Adamite	High	Arsenic, Copper, Soluble in acids	Keep in a specimen box and away from pets and little fingers. Do not keep in a damp room	Fine Polished, be careful if it breaks
​Agate	Low	Silicosis	This is fine in most forms, the toxicity is low, be careful about putting it inside your body	Fine polished and fine if breaks, but don't put in your mouth
Albite	None known
Alexandrite	None Known
Algodonite	High	Arsenic, Copper, may react with water and acid	keep away from water and damp rooms, store in a specimen box	Fine Polished, be careful if it breaks and don't put in water
Almandine	None Known
Amazonite	Low	Lead	Generally fine as it is, just don't consume it	Fine Polished, don't put in your mouth
Amber	High	Organic Material	Do not consume or inhale dust. Polished and rough is fine otherwise	Fine Polished, don't put in your mouth
Amblygonite	High	Can reat dangerously if swallowed	Keep out of reach of pets and small fingers. Do not consume.	​Likely to be fine polished, DO NOT put in your mouth
Amethyst	High	Silicosis	Do not Consume - fine to handle	Fine when polished, be careful if breaks
Ametrine	High	Silicosis	Do not consume - fine to handle	Fine when polished, be careful if breaks
Ammolite	High	Organic Material	Do not consume - fine to handle	Fine when polished, be careful if breaks
Analcime	None Known
Anatase	None Known	Soluble in Acids	Wise to not consume	Fine when polished, be careful if breaks
Andalusite	None Known
Andradite	None Known
Anglesite	High	Lead	Do not consume, be careful handling. Put in a specimen box	Fine when polished, be careful if breaks
Anhydrite (Angelite)	None Known	Soluble in Acids	Do not Consume	Fine when polished, be careful if breaks

Anorthite	None Known	Soluble in acids	Do not consume - fine to handle
Apatite	High	Can react dangerously when swallowed	Do not consume - fine to handle	Fine when polished, be careful if breaks
Apophyllite	None Known	Soluble in acids	Do not consume - fine to handle
Aquamarine	None Known
Aragonite	None Known	Soluble in acids	Do not consume - fine to handle
Augelite	None Known	Soluble in acids	Do not consume - fine to handle
Axinite	None Known
Azurite	High	Copper; Soluble in acids	Do not consume, keep away from damp rooms, keep away from pets and little fingers - advisable to keep in a specimen box	Fine when polished, be careful if breaks

*list is taken from gemsociety.org with 2 columns added on for your peace of mind

Source: gemsociety.org