People often ask me about crystal elixirs and how to create their own, but it’s important to know how to do this safely when working with your stones in this way.

Many people don’t realize that most stones are unsafe for using in the traditional way of preparing crystal elixirs (where crystals are plunked into some water and charged in sun or moonlight).

Before creating any crystal elixirs, you should ALWAYS check that the stones used in your essence are non-toxic.

Crystal essences and crystal elixirs should be prepared using the alternative method of preparation, which I show you below.

Please note that radioactive stones should NEVER be used in the preparation of crystal elixirs or essences, not even by the alternative method! I’ve included a list of unsafe stones at the bottom of this post, so if you’re unsure whether a stone is safe to use for crystal elixirs, check to see if it’s on this list of no-nos.

How to Safely Create Crystal Elixirs:

1. Set a purpose or intention for your crystal elixirs
2. Choose stones related to your purpose
3. Check to be sure that your chosen stones are not radioactive
4. Place your chosen stones inside of a small glass container (containing no water)
5. Place this small glass container into a larger glass container that does contain water (the stones NEVER make direct contact with the water, but their energetic vibration is allowed to be transmitted through the glass container into the water)
6. Cover the larger container with a lid or some plastic wrap
7. Allow your stones to sit in the water for the proper amount of time to create a gem water, crystal elixir, or mother elixir.
8. Bottle your crystal elixirs, add a preservative (like brandy or vodka), and label your elixir.

Learning all of the steps to safely create your own crystal elixirs takes quite a bit of training (more than can be summarized in this post), but these are the basic steps so you can understand the general process.

MinDat is a great resource for checking the chemical composition of your crystals to help you determine whether or not they may contain toxic elements or if they may be radioactive.

Below I’ve included a list of cited references to stones that are unfit for elixir preparation (along with the explanation of why these stones shouldn’t be used with the traditional method). This list also includes radioactive stones that should be avoided in both the traditional and alternative methods of creating crystal elixirs.

This is by NO MEANS an exhaustive list of all toxic stones. You should ONLY create crystal elixirs if you have been properly trained in gem elixir preparation and if you are absolutely certain as to the safety of your stones.

I can’t stress this enough…if you aren’t 100% certain as to the safety of a crystal for elixir preparation, then don’t use it!

Again, this is not a complete list, but it can help you rule out some of the most common stones that should be avoided. If the stone you’re using is known by more than one name, be sure to check the list under all known names for the stone.

If you’d like more information about creating your own crystal elixirs, click here to check out our crystal elixir videos!

-A-

Abalone – Harmful or toxic stone. Organic, may contain bacteria as well as pollutants from toxic materials from the water it forms in.

Acanthite – “This mineral’s softness precludes its use in the normal method of preparation of an elixir” (Love is in the Earth – Updated 79).

Actinolite – “Fibrous form is a type of asbestos. Not recommended for elixirs” (Healing Crystals).

Adamite – “Toxic or harmful stone. Contains zinc and copper” (Harton). “Contains Arsenic (Arsenate) and trace amounts of copper which is toxic” (Healing Crystals).

Ajoite – “Contains aluminum, copper” (Healing Crystals).

Albite – “Contains aluminum” (Healing Crystals).

Alexandrite – “Contains aluminum” (Healing Crystals).

Algodonite – “The slight arsenide content of this mineral precludes its use in the normal method of preparation of an elixir” (Supplement A 37).

Almandine – “Contains aluminum” (Healing Crystals).

Altaite – “This lead base of this mineral precludes its use in the normal method of preparation of an elixir” (Love is in the Earth – Updated 104). “Due to the lead content of this mineral, an elixir preparation via the normal method is not recommended. However, an elixir (non-normal method) is recommended, due to the ability of the energy to stimulate the physical form” (Supplement A 310).

Alum – “This material is extremely soft and fragile, and it melts in water” (Stein 13). “Should never be washed or held under water” (Gienger 13).

Alurgite – “The softness and fragility of this mineral precludes its use in the normal method of preparation of an elixir” (Love is in the Earth – Updated 106).

Amazonite – “Use with caution, the color is a result of traces of copper, which is toxic” (Jentoft). This mineral should only be used in an elixir prepared via the alternative method of preparation. “Toxic or harmful stone. Contains copper” (Harton). “Do not use…for internal use. Contains copper” (Sullivan). “Its intense color is caused by the presence of lead” (Kennedy 198). “Trace amounts of copper which is toxic” (Healing Crystals).

Amber – “…Acts to purify ones body, mind, and spirit when…used as an elixir” (Love is in the Earth – Updated 109) “Toxic or harmful stone. Toxic dust, fumes, possible ingestive toxicity” (Harton). I have found much information that contradicts this statement and claims that Amber is completely non-toxic. This is the only source that I have read claiming that Amber should be used with caution. My suggestion would be to use in an elixir prepared with the alternative method just to be safe until more research can be done on this claim.

Amblygonite – “Contains aluminum” (Healing Crystals).

Andalusite – “Contains aluminum” (Healing Crystals).

Andersonite – “The delicacy of this mineral precludes its use in the normal method of preparation of an elixir” (Supplement A 45).

Andesine – “Contains aluminum” (Healing Crystals).

Andradite – “Contains aluminum” (Healing Crystals).

Angelite – This stone is too soft and may dissolve if used in the normal method of preparation of an elixir. “Do not use in a gemstone essence as it is very soft and may melt in the water” (Stein xv). “Toxic or harmful stone. Contains lead and sulphur” (Harton).

Anhydrite, Blue Druzy – “Avoid soaking this stone in water, as it will deteriorate and dissolve” (Stein 25).

Anhydrite, Purple – “Avoid soaking it in water, as the stone is soft and will deteriorate and dissolve” (Stein 26).

Anorthite – “Contains aluminum” (Healing Crystals).

Anorthoclase – “Contains aluminum” (Healing Crystals).

Antigorite – “The softness and lamellar structure of this mineral precludes its use in the normal method of preparation of an elixir” (Love is in the Earth – Updated 123).

Antimonite – “Do not use…for internal use. Contains lead” (Sullivan).

Aphrizite (Black Tourmaline) – “Contains aluminum” (Healing Crystals).

Apollo Stone – “The content of Uranium in this mineral precludes its use in the normal method of preparation of an elixir” (Supplement A 253).

Aquamarine – Toxic or harmful stone. Contains aluminum. “Contains aluminum” (Healing Crystals).

Aragonite – “Toxic or harmful stone” (Harton).

Argentite – The softness of this mineral precludes its use in the normal method of preparation of an elixir” (Love is in the Earth – Updated 131).

Ash, Volcanic – “The normal method of preparation of an elixir of the volcanic ash is only recommended if adequate filtering equipment is available” (Love is in the Earth – Updated 132). This mineral should only be used in an elixir prepared via the alternative method of preparation.

Atacamite – “Poisonous (copper)” (Jentoft). This mineral should only be used in an elixir prepared via the alternative method of preparation. “Toxic or harmful stone. Contains copper” (Harton). “Contains poisonous/toxic copper” (Healing Crystals).

Aurichalcite – “Poisonous (zinc and copper)” (Jentoft). This mineral should only be used in an elixir prepared via the alternative method of preparation. “Toxic or harmful stone. Contains copper” (Harton). “Do not use…for internal use. Contains zinc and copper” (Sullivan). “Contains zinc and copper which are toxic” (Healing Crystals).

Autunite – “Do not use this mineral in the preparation of an elixir via the normal method. It is recommended that the use of Autunite be confined to an established location in ones environment, from which the powers would emanate” (Love is in the Earth – Updated 135).

Aventurine – “Contains aluminum” (Healing Crystals).

Axinite – “Contains aluminum, iron” (Healing Crystals).

Azurite – “Never attempt to prepare an essence from this stone since it gives off sulfur when mixed with water” (Bourgault 55). This mineral should only be used in an elixir prepared via the alternative method of preparation. “Poisonous (copper)” (Jentoft). This mineral should only be used in an elixir prepared via the alternative method of preparation. “Do not clean nodules in water” (Lilly 188). This mineral should only be used in an elixir prepared via the alternative method of preparation. “Toxic or harmful stone. Contains copper” (Harton). “Do not use…for internal use. Contains copper” (Sullivan) “Contains copper, toxic” (Healing Crystals).

-B-

Barite – “Do not use…for internal use. Contains lead, zinc, and barium” (Sullivan).

Bastnaesite – “The chemical makeup of Bastnaesite does contain toxic elements which can react when combined with water” (Healing Crystals).

Beaverite – “Since the mineral is rather crumbly, preparation of an elixir via the normal method is not recommended” (Love is in the Earth – Updated 149).

Beryl Group (Aquamarine, Goshenite, Heliodor, Morganite) – Toxic or harmful stone. Contains aluminum. “Contains aluminum” (Healing Crystals).

Beudantite – “Do not prepare an elixir of this mineral via the normal method” (Love is in the Earth – Updated 155).

Bindheimite – “The slight lead content of this mineral precludes its use in the normal method of preparation of an elixir” (Supplement A 59).

Bismuth – “Heavy metal” (Healing Crystals).

Boji Stone ® – “The stones…may disintegrate after discharging their energy to enhance the well-being and stability of the environment in which they were placed…beware that they may disappear” (Love is in the Earth – Updated 162). This mineral should only be used in an elixir prepared via the alternative method of preparation. “Unfit (contains some sulfur). There is some secrecy regarding its contents-which means you really should not drink it” (Jentoft). This mineral should only be used in an elixir prepared via the alternative method of preparation. “Toxic or harmful stone. May contain sulphur” (Harton). “Do not use…for internal use. Contains sulfur” (Sullivan). “Contains sulfur, Pyrite and/or Marcasite which are toxic; also could be a fire hazard” (Healing Crystals).

Borax – “Due to the solubility/fragility of Borax, do not prepare an elixir of this mineral via the normal method” (Supplement Z 51).

Boulangerite – “Preparation of an elixir via the normal method is not recommended” (Love is in the Earth – Updated 167).

Brazilianite – “Contains aluminum – not recommended to use in its raw form” (Healing Crystals).

Brewsterite – “Do not prepare an elixir of this mineral via the normal method” (Supplement Z 55).

Bronchantite – “Unfit and poisonous (copper)” (Jentoft). This mineral should only be used in an elixir prepared via the alternative method of preparation. “Do not use…for internal use. Contains copper” (Sullivan). “Toxic or harmful stone. Contains copper” (Harton). “Copper hydrated sulfate, toxic” (Healing Crystals).

Bumblebee Jasper – “Contains toxic sulfur and arsenic” (Healing Crystals).

Bytownite – “Contains aluminum” (Healing Crystals).