Why NOT to Clean Crystals with Water

Although water cleansing is a popular and historically classic method for clearing negative energy from crystals, it's not always the safest choice for your crystals. Below, we've prepared a short article to inform you about the risks of water cleansing and how to avoid them.

Risks of Water Cleansing

Water may seem like a gentle and natural way to clean crystals, but many crystals should never come in contact with water.

Many crystals are porous/soft, contain metals, or are sensitive to water's chemical composition, which can lead to surface damage, cracking, or even complete dissolution.

The dangers of water cleansing include:

• Chemical reactions: Water can react with minerals in crystals, causing oxidation, rusting, or other chemical changes that can weaken or destroy the crystal.
• Physical damage: Sudden temperature changes (thermal shock) can create micro-cracks or cause the crystal to break apart.
• Water solubility: Some crystals dissolve in water, which can happen very slowly over time or almost immediately, depending on the mineral.

Given these risks, it's essential to know which crystals are particularly vulnerable to water damage to avoid making irreversible mistakes.

10 Crystals You Should Never Clean with Water

1. Selenite: Selenite is highly soluble in water and can begin dissolving when it comes in contact with moisture.
2. Malachite: This stone is not only soft but also contains copper, which can react with water, causing the stone to deteriorate or slightly rust.
3. Lapis Lazuli: A porous crystal that can be damaged by water exposure, leading to color loss and erosion or rusting of its pyrite inclusions.
4. Azurite: Like lapis lazuli, azurite is very sensitive to water and can lose its vibrant blue color.
5. Halite: As real rock salt, halite will completely dissolve in water, meaning it absolutely must not be cleaned with water.
6. Calcite: This crystal can increase acidity when exposed to water, which can lead to etching or slow degradation.
7. Desert Rose: This mineral variety is water-soluble and can lose its luster if washed under water.
8. Pyrite: Pyrite is known for its metallic shine, but due to its metal content, it can rust over time when exposed to water.
9. Opal: Opals contain water within their silica structure; constant changes between dry and wet environments can cause cracking.
10. Kyanite: This fragile crystal can break apart and fracture when exposed to water.

Embracing Smoke Cleansing

Instead of water cleansing, we always recommend smoke cleansing for these reasons:

• Universal compatibility: Smoke cleansing can be safely used with practically any type of crystal without risk of physical or chemical damage.
• Aromatherapy benefits: Burning natural incense like sage, palo santo, or sweetgrass not only clears negative energy but also enhances your environment and home through subtle aromatherapy.
• Effectiveness: Smoke reaches every part of the crystal, ensuring thorough cleansing while maintaining the crystal's structural integrity.

How to Smoke Cleanse Your Crystals

To smoke cleanse your crystals, simply light natural incense and envelop your crystals in the smoke.

This will help remove any negative or stagnant energy that might have accumulated in your crystals.

The most important aspect of cleansing is your intention. When cleansing a stone, maintain focused intention on purifying and re-energizing your crystals and minerals.

Water - Never Again

Although water cleansing might be popular (we've even received calls from customers who do this regularly), it's not suitable for all crystals.

Smoke cleansing offers a safe, effective, and aromatic alternative that can not only enhance the energy of your crystals but also your environment. Next time you think about cleansing your crystals, choose smoke over water and preserve the natural beauty and integrity of your precious crystals.