Is your crystal Toxic? (P-Q's)

Img: Padparadscha Sapphire

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 part that covers the "'P-Q's".

For the rest of the alphabet, please see the other blog posts under the 'Toxic Crystals' Category. 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 it's rough?	Is it ok polished?
Padparadscha sapphire	None Known	None known	Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Painite	None known	None known	Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Palygorskite	None known	None known	Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Papagoite	Low	Copper	Keep in a specimen box, wash hands after handling, do not consume, keep away from little fingers, pets and damp areas	Fine to handle, do not consume
Paraiba Tourmaline	None Known		Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Pargasite	None known		Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Parisite	High/Low	Can react dangerously if swallowed / Weakly radioactive, negligible in small amounts	Keep away from little fingers, pets and damp areas
Pearl	High	Organic Material	Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Pectolite (Larimar)	None Known		Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Pentlandite	High	Nickel	wash hands after handling, keep away from damp areas, little fingers and pets	Avoid if you have nickel allergy
Periclase	High	Laxative, reacts with water	do not consume, keep away from water	fine to handle, do not consume
Peridot	None Known		Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Peristerite	None Known		Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Perthite	None known		Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Petalite	None Known		Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Phenakite	None Known		Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Phosgenite	Medium	Lead, Solluble in acids	Be wary but should be fine, keep away from pets and little fingers
Phosphop-hyllite	None Known	Soluble in acids	Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume

Pollucite	Low	Cesium, Soluble in acids	Should be fine, err on the side of caution though, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Powellite	Medium	Molybdenum, soluble in acids	Be wary when handling, keep away from little fingers, pets and damp rooms, do not consume
Prehnite	None Known	Soluble in acids	Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Prosopite	High	Can react dangerously if swallowed	Handle carefully, keep out of reach of pets and little fingers and away from damp rooms, store in a specimen container
Proustite	High	Can React dangerously if swallowed	Handle carefully, keep out of reach of pets and little fingers and away from damp rooms, store in a specimen container
Pumpellyite	None Known		Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Purpurite	Low	Soluble in acids	Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Pyrargyrite	High	Can react dangerously if sallowed	Wash hands after handling, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Pyrite	High	Can react dangerously if swallowed	Wash hands after handling, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Pyrope	None Known		Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Pyrophyllite	Low	Soluble in acids	BE careful but should be fine to handle, do not consume and keep away from little fingers and pets to be safe	Fine to handle, do not consume
Pyroxmangite	None Known		Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Quartzite	High	Silicosis	Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Quartz	High	Silicosis	Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume

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

Source: gemsociety.org