Many people use crystals to calm their mind, body and soul. Some experience that crystals work on an energetic level, sending out natural vibrations.
Crystals travel long distances, from source/mine to seller. Each transition exposes the stone to energies that may not be in alignment with yours. Therefore, every crystal that comes into your possession must be cleansed, even if you use it regularly for healing or meditation.
Cleansing and charging your stones regularly is the only way to return your crystal to its natural state. This cleansing ritual can also reinvigorate your own sense of purpose.
When you cleanse your crystals and gemstones, you not only keep them shiny, but they stay fully charged. Cleaning is not complicated. It is important that you know which method is suitable for your crystal or gemstone. The rule of thumb is: 'the more you use a crystal or gemstone, the more frequently it needs to be cleaned'.
1. Running water
Water neutralizes the stored negative energy and returns this energy to the earth. It is best to use running water (from a river), but you can also rinse your stone under tap water.
Which stones: This method is suitable for hard stones such as quartz. This method is not suitable for porous stones such as Selenite, Kyanite, Halite, Calcite, Celestite, Mica etc.
How: Immerse your stone or crystal for at least one minute.
2. New moon/full moon
The moon can cleanse crystals and gemstones on a deep energetic level. A full moon offers an energy of letting go and a new moon an energy of growth. Moonlight helps your crystals and gemstones to absorb a loving, feminine energy.
Which stones: This cleaning method is suitable for all crystals and gemstones. Particularly for crystals and gemstones that do not react well to water. A few examples: Moonstone, Selenite, Labradorite, Rock Crystal, Amethyst, Mystic Merlinite, Lapis Lazuli.
How: Place your crystals or gemstones flat on your windowsill and leave them there overnight.
3. Eclipse
An eclipse is a solar or lunar eclipse. An eclipse offers a perfect opportunity to charge your crystals or gemstones with completely new energy. The lunar eclipse is closely associated with major internal shifts; the solar eclipse with external shifts and sharp changes in the composition of your life. An eclipse offers a good cleansing for people who are stuck in an energy and want to change certain facets of their lives.
Which stones: For example, all types of Moonstone, Obsidian, Black Tourmaline, Charoite, Larvikite, Selenite, Labradorite, Mystic Merlinite, Phrenite, Green Fluorite, Rose Quartz, Lapis Lazuli.
How: Place your crystals or gemstones on a windowsill or in a safe outdoor area where they can absorb plenty of light.
4. Salt bath
Salt helps to remove unwanted energy and negative influences. Salt is the perfect way to bring your crystals and gemstones, and therefore yourself, into a gentle flow.
Which stones: Hard stones such as Amethyst and quartz are robust in nature and can tolerate salt well. Be careful with stones that are porous or somewhat softer such as Selenite, Lepidolite, Malachite and Angelite. They can be easily affected by the salt.
How: Place the stones and crystals in a bowl of dry salt and let them sit for several hours to overnight. The salt absorbs the negative energies of the crystals. After the salt bath, rinse the crystals and gemstones thoroughly under running water to remove excess salt.
5. Smudging
Smudging is an age-old technique using sage, Palo Santo, cedar, lavender or sweetgrass. Sage is the most popular choice, as this herb is infused with many healing properties. This powerful herb purifies, can connect us to the spirit realm, clear negative energy and soothe stress.
Which stones: The smudging method is suitable for every crystal type and every gemstone. Especially for Pyrite, a gemstone whose shine you don't want to lose. This is a safe way of charging for every crystal and every gemstone.
How: Make sure you are outside or near an open window so that the bad energy has an outlet. For best results, use bundled sage sticks. Hold the tip of your sage stick in one hand and your crystals or gemstones in the other hand. Swirl the sage over the stone so that the smoke envelops the stone for at least thirty seconds.
6. Sunlight
While the moon radiates feminine energy, the sun provides a masculine energy, offering you vitality and life force. There is nothing better than holding a sun-warmed stone in your hand. And to feel how that warm energy transforms in your body into a joyful feeling.
Which stones: This method is suitable for dark and clear stones such as Hematite, Carnelian, Mookaite, Tiger's Eye, Serpentine, Kambaba, Nephrite Jade, Moss Agate and Green Aventurine, Black Tourmaline, Purpurite, Phosphosiderite, Jasper.
How: On a nice day or a clear sky, place your crystal or gemstone outside so that it can warm up in the sun in a few hours.
7. Sound / Sound healing
Using sound frequency is a quick and effective way to cleanse your gemstones.
Which stones: This method is suitable for all crystals and gemstones. This method is useful when you have a lot of crystals and is also a safe way to cleanse and charge your crystals and gemstones.
How: Whether you 'chant', use tuning forks or make a bowl 'sing', the point is that the sound can reach a vibration that encompasses the stones. You can use this method for any crystal and any gemstone. The audio tape does not have to be longer than five minutes.
8. Selenite
Selenite has the special ability to cleanse and charge other crystals, without losing its own energy.
Which stones: Using Selenite for cleansing and charging is a safe way for all crystals and gemstones.
How: Place the crystals or gemstones on a charging plate or bowl of Selenite. Leave them for at least six hours.
9. Buried
The earth can instantly cleanse and revitalize the spirit. The same goes for crystals. Burying your gemstones in the earth is a great way to re-ground them and remove any bad energy. You can hang jewelry with gemstones or crystals on branches or leaves of a healthy houseplant.
Which stones: Tiger's Eye, Citrine, Carnelian, Jasper, Amethyst, and Agate are suitable gemstones. Do not do this with soft and porous stones such as Selenite, Halite, Angelite, Calcite or Pyrite (although a stable mineral, pyrite can react with water and oxygen to produce sulfuric acid, which can damage the stone).
How: Find a good place to bury your crystals and gemstone. Bury them a few inches deep. Leave them in the soil for a minimum of twenty-four hours and a maximum of three days.
10. Breathwork
Breathwork can also be an effective method of cleansing.
Which stones: This method is particularly suitable for smaller stones such as tumbled stones.
How: Hold your stone in your dominant hand. Focus on your intention and breathe deeply in through your nose and out through your mouth. Then bring the stone close to your face and breathe sharply through your nose, through the stone and out through your mouth onto the stone. This brings the stone to its highest vibration. Do this for about thirty seconds.
11. Visualization
Finally, you can also cleanse and charge your crystals and gemstones by sharing your own intuitive powers. By cleansing your stones through visualization and meditation methods you can strengthen the bond with your crystals and gemstones. It is important that you feel good and that you ground and connect your energy, so that your stone does not have to do the work.
Which stones: You can do this method with all your gemstones.
How: Hold your stone in your dominant hand and ground your energy until you feel centered. Visualize a great white light in your hands, surrounding the gemstone and penetrating you. Focus on any impurities and negative energies flowing from your stone and being replaced by pure and clear light. This process can take several minutes and you should only do it with one stone at a time so that you can fully focus your energy.
Frequently asked questions about cleaning gemstones
Why do I need to cleanse my crystals or gemstones?
Crystals and gemstones are energetic sources. They can become congested or become heavily burdened with energy. By giving them a cleanse and recharge, you help them release all that accumulated energy and free up space so they can continue doing their good work.
Do I need to cleanse my new crystals?
Absolute! Once a crystal or gemstone comes into your possession, it makes sense to cleanse, charge and program it to meet your personal needs. Hold your stone during meditation and visualize everything you expect from it, also be grateful.
How often should I clean my gemstones?
This depends on how often you use your gemstones and what type of work they do. The crystals that you use or always carry with you should be cleaned more often than the stones that are in a room, for example. A good guideline is to cleanse and recharge your crystals or gemstones once a month, or after doing chakra or reiki treatments. As with all things crystals and gemstones, most of the connection is based on feeling, energy and intuition, so if you feel like your gemstone would benefit from a cleansing, perform it.
How do I know when a stone has been cleaned?
After your cleansing session, your crystal or gemstone should feel lighter in the hand and less stressful. Again, intuition is always your best guide.