The Care and Cleansing of Crystals
Simple tips to keep your crystals happy for you.
Crystals are some of the most beautiful, natural tools that Mother Earth has created to help us balance our energies. Each crystal’s specific makeup will work with your vibrations, help amplify positive energy or absorb energy that is no longer of service to you.
Whether they are laying beautifully around our necks or sitting in a corner of our room, healing crystals are always working hard, even when we don’t realize it. Here are a few ways, nonphysical and physical, to recharge and cleanse your favorite stones and crystal jewelry. Most of these methods are safe for all stones and jewelry, with a few exceptions we’ll call out.
Keep in mind that sometimes simple is best. Non physical methods are just as effective as the physical ones, especially for your more delicate stones.
1- Charge your crystals with an intention.
Hold your crystal in your hands, close your eyes and visualize your intention. What would you like this crystal to help call in for you? A method we use in reiki (energy healing) is to always keep intentions positive. For example, if you are working with an aquamarine crystal to help with anxiety or stress, ask for it to bring in calm and surrender, as opposed to ‘relieve my anxiety’.
When to use: Once a month or as needed. Hold your intention for about a minute (or as long as you can) per stone or jewelry piece.
2- Give your stones a moon bath.
In astrology, our moon sign is the reflection of our emotions and intuition, so what better tool to charge our crystals than the moon herself! Place your crystals on a window sill or directly outside if you have a safe, covered area. Even if you don’t directly see the moon due to cloudy skies, don’t worry! it is still providing cleansing... just like getting a sunburn on a grey day (ouch!).
When to use: Once a month and leave overnight. Most effective on a full moon, but all moon stages will work!
🌝 We charge the crystals on vibemade pieces with the full moon.
3- Place your stones in uncooked rice.
Yep, you read that right! It’s not just used to save your smartphone after an accidental dunk in the water. This method will happily absorb your crystal's energies, restoring them back to their neutral state. Place the crystals in a glass or ceramic bowl and bury in the uncooked rice. Don’t plan to cook with it afterward, let it compost and return back to earth.
When to use: Once to twice per month. Leave overnight for about 12 hours.
4- Bathe your crystals in smoke.
Smoke cleansing with natural elements such as sage, incense, and cinnamon sticks is a great way to clear your crystals as well as your space! Set an intention while you burn your element and then allow the smoke to surround your stones. Don’t forget to fully put out whatever you used for the cleansing.
When to use: Once per month, or as needed. About 30 seconds per stone.
Learning moment: Smoke cleansing is not the same as smudging. Smudging is a sacred Native American tradition that has been passed down through many generations and used during rituals in order to purify the ceremonial area. It’s a living practice and it’s important to be respectful of its origins.
5- Place your stones in a bed of salt.
Salt is a powerful mineral known for its cleansing properties. Bury crystals in a glass or ceramic bowl of salt and allow to sit overnight. Be mindful of using this technique on softer stones like pink opal with a Mohs hardness scale less than 7. Use one of the other methods to avoid scratching your softer babes or more delicate jewelry! Also, like the rice, do not cook with it after clearing your stones.
When to use: Once or two times per month. Let sit overnight.
Safe for stones with a Mohs hardness 7 and above (ex. aquamarine)
6- Give your crystals a private concert.
Sound is an amazing way to awaken vibrations! Just like that floating feeling after seeing your favorite band, your crystals will feel just as alive after their sound bath. Use a sound bowl, bell, play your favorite music through a speaker, or even clap with your hands to reset your crystal’s vibrations.
When to use: Once a month, or as needed. Play sound to a group of crystals for about 5-10 minutes.
7- Rinse your stones with water.
Water is the ultimate purifying element and will wash and recharge your crystals in no time at all. Either allow the crystal to rest under a light stream of water for about 1 minute or let the stones soak in a bowl of water for 30 minutes to 4 hours. Be mindful with water and your softer stones (6 or lower on the Mohs scale) and jewelry pieces as some materials might be damaged if exposed to water. Crystal Clear Intuition does a wonderful job explaining which crystals can and can not handle the water.
⚠️ Not safe for some jewelry materials, including vibemade pieces.
When to use: Once a month, or as needed. Safe for stones with a Mohs hardness of 6 or above.
A little rest and relaxation always does the body and your crystals good! By using any one of these methods, your favorite stones and jewelry will happily thank you by working over time.
