More Concerns About Toxic Crystals and Stones
Radioactivity and Stones
This article contains information about radioactive stones and how to handle them safely.
Radioactivity
Some granites emit radon from the decay of Uranium. The risk is low. However if you have concerns please read this publication: A Citizen’s Guide to Radon from www.epa.gov.
Radioactive Gems. You may have a valid concern if you own artificially irradiated crystals, gems or stones. Be aware of the following which are known to be irradiated:
deeply pigmented topaz
extremely dark (can't see through it) smokey quartz
very deep pink or red tourmaline
colored diamonds
deeply colored kunzite
some cultured & colored pearls
What you can do to be careful:
The Good News: tumbled stones and jewelry are polished, which is a clear coating applied to assure the stone or gem will shine. This thin barrier can protect against transfer of the unwanted “toxins” into your body. When in doubt, use a tumbled polished stone or apply a coating yourself!
For jewelry or gems that you touch often, this author has used plain colorless nail polish as an easy to apply coating to the back of jewelry to keep her skin from coming in contact with the stone. This also works for copper, which is known to have some bad health effects, in addition to turning the skin green. A coat of nail polish or other varnish keeps the skin clean and the copper shiny.
If you make your own gem elixirs or gem oils, you can do the proximity method, keeping the stones in contact with the container of water or oil. When the stone is on the outside, it takes longer to put it's energy into the water or oil, but there will be no transfer of any toxic substance. Just to be sure, if you purchase gem elixir or oils, see which method they use!
