Is your crystal Toxic? (T-Z's)

Img: Taafeite

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 final part that covers the "'T-Z'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?
Taafeite	None Known		Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Talc	Low	Talcosis - do not inhale or ingest particles. Talc ore may contain minerals that pose asbestos hazards	Should be ok to handle, be careful and keep away from little fingers, pets and damp areas to be safe. Do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Tantalite	Medium	Niobium, Tantalum, soluble in acids	Keep in a specimen box away fom little fingers, pets and damp areas, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Tanzanite	None Known		Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Tektite	Low	Silicosis	Asbestos	Fine to handle, do not consume
Tephroite	None Known		Fine to handle, do not consume
Thomsonite	None Known		Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Tigers Eye	High	Asbestos, silicosis	Should be ok to handle, be careful and keep away from little fingers, pets and damp areas to be safe. Do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Topaz	None Known		Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Tourmaline	None Known		Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Tremolite	Low	Asbestos	Should be ok to handle, be careful and keep away from little fingers, pets and damp areas to be safe. Do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Triphylite (Tryphylite)	Medium	Lithium, soluble in acids	Keep in a specimen box away fom little fingers, pets and damp areas, do not consume
Tsavorite	None Known		Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Tugtupite	None Known		Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Turquoise	Low	Copper	Should be ok to handle, be careful and keep away from little fingers, pets and damp areas to be safe. Do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Ulexite	Low	Borate	Should be ok to handle, be careful and keep away from little fingers, pets and damp areas to be safe. Do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Uvarovite	None Known		Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Vanadinite	Fine to handle, do not consume	Lead, Vanadium	Keep in a specimen box away fom little fingers, pets and damp areas, do not consume
Varynenite	None Known		Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume

Villiaumite	High	Water soluble, can react dangerously if swallowed or inhaled, can irritate skin, eyes and respiratory tract, wash hands after touching.	Keep in a specimen box, keep away from little fingers, pets and damp areas, do not consume
Vivianite	None Known		Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Wardite	None Known	Soluble in acids	Fine to handle, do not consume
Wavellite	None Known		Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Weloganite	Low	Zirconium	Should be ok to handle, be careful though and keep away from little fingers, pets and damp areas to be safe
Whewellite	High	Oxalate	Keep in a specimen box, keep away from little fingers, pets and damp areas, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Wilkeite	High	Can react dangerously if swallowed	Keep in a specimen box, keep away from little fingers, pets and damp areas, do not consume
Willemite	None Known		Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Witherite	High	Barium	Keep in a specimen box, keep away from little fingers, pets and damp areas, do not consume
Wollastonite	None Known		Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Wulfenite	High	Lead	Keep in a specimen box, keep away from little fingers, pets and damp areas, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Xonotlite	None Known		Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Yugawaralite	None Known		Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Zektzerite	Low	Lithium, Zircobium	Should be ok to handle, be careful though and keep away from little fingers, pets and damp areas to be safe	Fine to handle, do not consume
Zincite	None Known	Soluble in acids	Fine to handle, do not consume	Fine to handle, do not consume
Zircon	Low	Zirconium, souble in acids	Should be ok to handle, be careful though and keep away from little fingers, pets and damp areas to be safe	Fine to handle, do not consume
Zunyite	High	Asbestos	Keep in a specimen box, keep away from little fingers, pets and damp areas, do not consume

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

Source: gemsociety.org