Caring For Your Crystals

First things first!

It’s important to have a general understanding of the mineral composition of your crystal to know how to care for it properly.

Mohs Hardness Scale

Image Credit : Sierra Pelona Rock Club

The Mohs Hardness Scale was created in 1812 by German mineralogist Friedrich Mohs. He used the above ten stones that are readily available and range from the softest known mineral (talc) to the hardest (diamond) to create a scale to test the hardness of all other specimens. The test is based on the ability of one mineral to scratch the surface of another mineral.

For general use, the above scale lets us know how careful we need to be when bringing stones into contact with one another, other hard surfaces, and water.

Caring for soft stones
For stones rated between 1 and 6 on the scale, you’re dealing with the softies of the crystal world. These guys need a little extra care. Smooth soft stones should be polished dry with a clean, soft cloth. A gentle, circular rub will remove dirt and fingerprints without risking damage. Think of it as giving your crystal a spa day!

Caring for hard stones
Anything 7 and higher on the Mohs scale is considered a “hard stone” and can be cleansed in water. For raw, hard geodes or clusters, it can be a good idea to run the stone in water for a good amount of time to loosen up debris and dust. To polish a crystal point or sphere, we like to use an soft cloth as it will help to remove oils and fingerprints. 

Keep in mind - the Mohs scale primarily takes into account the ability of one mineral to scratch another, and doesn’t consider how easily a stone can break.

Cleansing
Crystals are like energetic sponges—they absorb everything they come in contact with, including negative vibes. Cleansing them is a must to clear out any unwanted energy and give them a fresh start. Here are a few popular ways to cleanse them:

 

1. Moonlight: One of the simplest and most popular methods is to place your crystals outside under the light of the full moon. The energy of the moonlight is believed to cleanse and recharge the crystals. This method is particularly effective for crystals like amethyst and quartz. Moonlight is a favored and safe way to cleanse any crystal type, rough or polished since they do not come into contact with anything except soft moonlight.

2. Sunlight: Some crystals can also be cleansed and energized by sunlight. However, be cautious with this method as prolonged exposure to sunlight can fade the colors of certain crystals. These are ametrine, aventurine, apatite, amethyst, citrine, calcite, celestite, kunzite, fluorite, rose quartz and smoky quartz... just to name a few! To be safe do not place your crystals in sunlight for more than a few minutes. Also keep inn mind that clear quartz can heat up in direct sunlight and amplify the suns rays, where it could start a fire if the crystal is on paper, wood or another combustible material.

3. Smudging: Burning sacred herbs such as sage, cedar, or palo santo and passing the crystals through the smoke is another common method for cleansing. The smoke is believed to clear away any negative energies attached to the crystals.

4. Water: Some crystals can be cleansed by rinsing them under running clean water, such as a stream or tap. However, not all crystals are water-safe, so it's essential to research whether your crystal can be cleansed with water beforehand.

5. Sound: Using sound vibrations from singing bowls, tuning forks, or bells can help cleanse and energize crystals. Simply pass the crystals through the sound waves to clear away any negative energies.

6. Other Crystals: The most powerful self cleansing crystals are clear quartz and selenite. They never need cleansing themselves and can provide a cleansing platform for crystals that need refreshing. Just place your crystals on top or right next to the quartz or selenite so they are touching in some way. Leave them overnight or as long as you deem necessary. This method is ideal when weather does not permit outside cleansing.