Serpentine and Asbestos

[Hilary]

Questions for people who collect serpentine -

1) Do you know whether or not your piece(s) contains chrysotile?
2) How do you manage it if does, or do you not worry about it?

I ask this because I have 1 large piece, 1 palm stone, and 1 tumble. The large piece actually seems fine, I haven't noticed any chrysotile. Same with the tumble.

The palm stone, however... the first thing I noticed about it was that it was sticky. I literally could hold my hand upside down, and it would stay attached! Also, after a couple hours of playing with it in my hands, I started getting a very itchy nose and eyes and put it away.

In my dreams that night, my guide told me over and over that it contained chrysotile, and he didn't want me to touch it anymore. I was denying this, saying I'm sure it's safe, etc., and he would continue to persist it has asbestos strains. He said "It's ok" but that I should keep it outside, and not handle it.

The next day I google this, and I see the small strains of white vertical chrysotile.. very small veins though.

This stone, however, moreso ANY others, got super attached to me right away. Pure love energy coursed through me that first night when I had it nearby. Very strong, blasting my heart chakra open. It communicated with me telepathically, it was really bonding with me, and my guide told me as well that "This stone is meant for you."

I came up with a solution, because I really want to be able to handle my stone, meditate with it, and take it on walks (it requested, telepathically, that I take it outside, and also said following me around is fun). I used an epoxy resin to coat the surface of it. This should lock in the asbestos fibers. I am sad that I had to do this, although it looks GREAT, I just hope it won't hurt the stone or its energy.

It should be finished tomorrow.

Thoughts?

[Sylmar]

When asbestos is in stones it can't harm you when tumbled. It's also in Tiger's Eye which is why almost all Tiger's Eye is tumbled.

[FairyCrystal]

Originally Posted by Sylmar

When asbestos is in stones it can't harm you when tumbled. It's also in Tiger's Eye which is why almost all Tiger's Eye is tumbled.

Wow, I did not know that!

[FairyCrystal]

@Hilary, cannot answer your question as I've never heard of chrysotile. I assume this is asbestos?
And considering the title I assume you're talking about serpentine. I've had a serpentine skull, I didn't know, not sure if I'd have been worried about it had I known.
I wouldn't like to use epoxy as if I'm correct this is a chemical substance and I feel this would alter/affect a stone's energy.

[Sylmar]

Originally Posted by FairyCrystal

Wow, I did not know that!

This is how I remembered it but I was wrong.
It's not Asbestos but Crocidolite but like Asbestos it's a fibrous material. However when tumbled it's safe to touch.

[FairyCrystal]

Originally Posted by Sylmar

This is how I remembered it but I was wrong.
It's not Asbestos but Crocidolite but like Asbestos it's a fibrous material. However when tumbled it's safe to touch.

Ah, okay. Thanks for the update!
Maybe it's good to have tumbled/polished crystals for safety reason, haha. Although I do assume people wouldn't sell rough pieces when not safe?

[Sylmar]

Originally Posted by FairyCrystal

Ah, okay. Thanks for the update!
Maybe it's good to have tumbled/polished crystals for safety reason, haha. Although I do assume people wouldn't sell rough pieces when not safe?

I have no idea. I do know that rough Tiger's Eye is not as pleasing to the eye which is why there may be hardly any demand. Some other minerals that shouldn't be touched are put into transparant boxes often with putty to keep them in place.

[FairyCrystal]

Oh yes, I've seen that every now and then.

[Hilary]

Originally Posted by Sylmar

This is how I remembered it but I was wrong.
It's not Asbestos but Crocidolite but like Asbestos it's a fibrous material. However when tumbled it's safe to touch.

I just wanted to add that crocidolite is blue asbestos. The fibrous stone is called crocidolite. However, it is a type of asbestos. Asbestos is a term that means "fibrous rock." There are 6 main types of asbestos.

Chrysotile is white asbestos, found in the rock Serpentine in veins. The fibrous rock is called chrysotile, but it is a type of asbestos. It is much less dangerous than blue asbestos (crocidolite) because it does dissolve in the lungs naturally over time, whereas blue and brown (amosite) asbestos do not dissolve ever.

As to the tumbled nature, I did think the same thing at first. My science teacher friend, also a rock expert guy, polishes and makes his own jewelry, however, said the only safe way is to have the stone is if it's completely polished. He thinks tumbled can still have active fibers. He also thinks the epoxy will make it safe.

It's not ideal, I agree. But it's the only way I feel it will be safe.

[Hilary]

Originally Posted by FairyCrystal

Ah, okay. Thanks for the update!
Maybe it's good to have tumbled/polished crystals for safety reason, haha. Although I do assume people wouldn't sell rough pieces when not safe?

When I look at the stone now, it seems like most of the white stuff is gone. The veins are still there, but they aren't that whitish anymore. Weird.

IDK. :) Better safe than sorry. Hope it doesn't affect the energy, but we'll see. It's just a light coating only on the surface. Made it all nice and glossy though :)