How to Cleanse Your Crystals (Without Dulling Their Energy)

The safest way to cleanse most crystals is gentle smoke, sound, or a Selenite charging slab for a few hours—never harsh salt or direct midday sun.

My simple cleansing framework (what I actually do each week)

I treat cleansing like a skincare routine: match the method to the material, keep it short, and repeat consistently. This keeps the stone stable and avoids color fade or surface damage.

1. Check the stone’s sensitivity. Softer stones (Mohs 2–4) are easy to scratch or dissolve, like Selenite and Angelite. Geology.com lists Selenite at a Mohs hardness of 2, so it needs extra care (source).
2. Pick the gentlest effective method. I default to smoke, sound, or Selenite unless I know the stone can handle water.
3. Set a single intention. I write one sentence (e.g., “clear and grounded”) and place it under the bowl.
4. Timebox it. 2–6 hours is usually enough. Longer is not better for most stones.

Gentle methods that work for almost every crystal

1) Smoke + airflow (my most reliable)

I pass each stone through rosemary or mugwort smoke for 30–60 seconds and then open a window for fresh air. It’s safe for jewelry and polished pieces, and it adds a calming ritual cue for me.

2) Selenite charging slab

I keep a flat Selenite plate on my desk and place tumbled stones on it for 2–4 hours. It’s passive, zero‑moisture, and perfect for water‑sensitive crystals like Pyrite. (Reminder: Selenite scratches easily because it’s so soft.)

3) Sound bath

A small singing bowl or a 432 Hz tuning fork resets dense stones fast. I tap three times per side and stop—more feels overstimulating, especially for sensitive people.

Methods I avoid (and why)

• Salt burying for soft stones. Salt draws moisture and can pit soft minerals; that’s rough on Selenite and Calcite.
• Water for copper-based crystals. Stones like Malachite can leach and stain with water exposure.
• Direct midday sun. Amethyst and Rose Quartz are known to fade with prolonged light exposure, so I only use early-morning light if I use sun at all (GIA reference).

For mineral durability details, I double‑check Mohs hardness and care notes on Geology.com and GIA.

Quick decision guide (the version on my fridge)

Stone	My method	Time
Labradorite	Sound + Selenite	3 hours
Black Tourmaline	Smoke + morning light	20 minutes
Pyrite	Sound only	10 minutes
Moonstone	Indirect moonlight	4–6 hours

My 12‑minute reset ritual (client favorite)

I teach a “12‑minute reset” in ritual sessions that works even on busy weeks:

• Light one candle and open a window.
• Pass each stone through smoke for 30 seconds.
• Place stones on a Selenite plate while you do two minutes of slow breathing.
• Write one intention sentence and leave it under the plate for 2–4 hours.

Clients report clearer sleep and calmer mornings the next day, especially when they pair this with a regular bedtime routine.