Fragile Sand

Fragile Sand is a crystalline mud that is found near volcanic vents and hot springs that are constantly above 120 degrees. This crystalline mud comes in four different colors, red, yellow, blue, or green. The base color of each is a light tan, brown with all sizes of crystals in the different colors. While each color has different properties and they all have been used as pigments, however, each color has its own use. The red fragile sand aids in the healing of injured wings in both humans and birds, by being mixed with herbs and then placed on the injured wing. Blue fragile sand is used in many different cosmetics enhancing the longevity of the product. It also adds sparkle to the product while also adding additional protection from the sun. Yellow fragile sand is exclusively used for healing bruises, in both humans and animals. Green fragile sand is used as a pigment for tattoos in at least two different cultures and has been for all of their histories. This causes the tattoo to have an iridescent green sparkle that some have said to make the tattoos look like they move.
The name fragile sand comes from the fact that the sand must be handled with care or it breaks down and becomes useless. To collect fragile sand, there are specialty workers who gather the mud, they use a mixture of safety cloth that is infused with magic and magic to protect from the high water temperature and hazardous gasses. They use specially crafted buckets that contain the sand while they collect it. Those who collect fragile sand have to go through a very strict process to ensure safety and that they get as much of the fragile sand. This mud normally starts around the water's edge to the max of 7 feet away. Each year there are at least two deaths reported to the collection of fragile sand by those that collect it legally.  There may be more as there are some that collect it illegally.  If caught there are harsh punishments given from huge fines or jail to loss of a limb depending on the jurisdiction.