Specimens

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Specimen List

This is a listing of toxic minerals in Rick's collection. Determining which minerals are toxic is a bit subjective since a lot of minerals are toxic when inhaled or ingested. Quartz for example in crystal form is rather inert, however when ground into a fine power and inhaled can be deadly, so is quartz toxic? I selected minerals for this list if they are associated with known toxic uses (such as asbestos), lead, or if they present an actual toxic risk in their current form such as crocidolite. Respect them for what they are and observe them through their cases and you will be just fine.

Actinolite

Fibrous actinolite is one of the six recognized types of asbestos, the fibers being so small that they can enter the lungs and damage the alveoli.

Actinolite, fibrous

Fibrous actinolite is one of the six recognized types of asbestos, the fibers being so small that they can enter the lungs and damage the alveoli.

Ancylite-(Ce) & Catapleiite

Rare earth bearing mineral.

Anthophyllite

A magnesium mineral used in the manufacturing of asbestos.

Apophyllite & Stilbite

Apophyllite's unique tetragonal crystal structure and optical properties are of interest to mineralogists and geology students.

Arsenopyrite

An iron arsenic sulfide mineral that looks like a silvery fools gold.

Atacamite

A copper oxychloride, Atacamite often occurs in association with chrysocolla, is used in agriculture as a plant protection agent (fungicide).

Aurichalcite

A carbonate mineral, usually found as a secondary mineral in copper and zinc deposits.

Azurite

A copper bearing mineral, which is a weathered version of Malachite.

Ceruleite

A rare, semi-precious gemstone with a sky-blue to pale blue color.

Cerussite

Cerussite is a lead carbonate mineral that's an important source of lead metal.

Chalcanthite, synthetic

A water soluble copper mineral. This mineral is toxic.

Chalcopyrite with Galena

A copper sulfate often confused with pyrite and gold since all three of these minerals have a yellowish color and a metallic luster.

Chrysotile

Cinnabar

Mercury ore, the silvery metal is extracted through distillation - this mineral is toxic.

Crocidolite

A fibrous stone also known as Blue Asbestos is the most dangerous form of asbestos.

Crocoite

A toxic lead chromate that used to be used on school buses.

Dioptase

Dioptase is an intense emerald-green to bluish-green mineral that is cyclosilicate of copper.

Galena

Lead ore - this mineral is toxic.

Gersdorffite

A nickel bearing arsenic sulfide mineral.

Malachite, Fibrous

A fibrous form of the copper ore Malachite.

Mimetite

A lead arsenate chloride mineral, that frequently takes on the shape of other minerals.

Orpiment

Orpiment is a fascinating mineral with a striking golden-yellow to orange-yellow color. It is a sulfide mineral composed of arsenic trisulfide and is quite toxic.

Pyromorphite

A mineral species composed of lead chlorophosphate, sometimes occurring in sufficient abundance to be mined as an ore of lead.

Stibnite

A soft, lead-gray mineral that is the primary source of antimony, a lustrous metalloid.

Tremolite

Tremolite exposure has been linked to pleural calcification and mesothelioma in people living in areas where tremolite is a geological component of the soil, or in people living near asbestos mines or factories.

Vanadinite

Industrial ore of Vanadium.

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