Cleaning gemstones

Gemstones are beautiful, energetic tools that we use for their aesthetic and spiritual properties. However, to maintain their energy, it's important to cleanse them regularly. In this blog post, you'll learn about the various cleaning methods available and how to properly care for your gemstones.

What cleaning methods are there?

There are several ways to cleanse your gemstones, depending on their composition and the energy they hold. Below, we discuss the most popular methods and how to apply them to your gemstones.

1. Water purification

One of the simplest and most popular ways to cleanse gemstones is to hold them under running water. The water purifies the stone of negative energies and helps restore its natural vibrations. This is a quick and easy way to refresh your gemstones. Hold your gemstone under cold, running water (for example, from the tap or a river) for a few minutes. Make sure your stone isn't too sensitive to water, such as selenite.

2. Salt cleansing

Salt traditionally has a cleansing and protective effect. It's often used to cleanse gemstones because it can absorb negative energy. Place your gemstones in a bowl of sea salt or Himalayan salt for a few hours. The salt draws out the negative energy, after which you rinse the stone under running water.

3. Smoke cleansing (e.g. sage or palo santo)

Smoke cleansing is a ritual used for centuries by various cultures to purify energy. By passing gemstones through the smoke of, for example, sage or palo santo, the stone can be cleansed and charged with new energy. Light the sage or palo santo and hold the gemstone in the smoke, allowing it to permeate through. Do this for a few minutes for a thorough cleansing.

4. Earth cleansing

Gemstones are often associated with the earth, and burying a stone in the ground can help release negative energies. The earth absorbs the disturbed energy, allowing the stone to restore its natural energy. Dig a small hole in the garden or place the stone in a flowerpot with soil. Leave the stone in the soil for 24 to 48 hours to fully cleanse it.

5. Crystals and geode cleaning

Another method is to cleanse gemstones by placing them in contact with other crystals known for their energetic cleansing properties, such as amethyst or rock crystal. Place your gemstones on a cluster of amethyst or rock crystal overnight. The energy of these crystals helps to clear your stone of negative energy.

Which cleaning method suits which gemstone?

Some gemstones are sensitive to certain cleaning methods, so it's important to choose the right method for each stone. The table below provides an overview of popular gemstones and the method that works best for them.

Gemstone	Best cleaning method
Amethyst	Smoke cleansing, crystals and geode cleansing
Aquamarine	Water purification, crystals and geode cleansing
Carnelian	Salt cleaning, smoke cleaning
Chrysolite	Water purification, crystals and geode cleansing
Citrine	Smoke cleansing, earth cleansing
Diamond	Water purification, salt purification
Pomegranate	Salt cleaning, smoke cleaning
Jade	Earth cleansing, water cleansing
Onyx	Earth cleansing, water cleansing
Opal	Earth cleansing, crystals and geode cleansing
Pearl	Water purification (very careful)
Ruby	Smoke purification, water purification
Sapphire	Water purification, smoke purification
Emerald	Earth cleansing, smoke cleansing
Tourmaline	Salt cleaning, smoke cleaning
Peridot	Smoke cleansing, crystals and geode cleansing
Moonstone	Smoke cleansing, earth cleansing
Blood coral	Water purification, salt purification
Topaz	Smoke cleansing, earth cleansing

Common mistakes

When cleaning gemstones, there are some common mistakes you can avoid:

1. Improper cleaning methods for sensitive stones – Some gemstones, such as selenite, should absolutely not be cleaned in water. Make sure you choose the right method for your stone.
2. Cleaning too frequently – Cleaning too often can disrupt a stone's energy balance. Cleaning should be done in moderation, depending on how often the stone is used.
3. No protection after cleansing – After cleansing, it's important to protect your gemstone from negative energy. You can do this, for example, by storing it in a special bag or box.
4. Using synthetic cleaners – Avoid using chemical or synthetic cleaners as these can damage the gemstones.