It is important to cleanse your crystals when you first obtain them, and periodically thereafter. This helps to discharge any different or negative energies, and also recharges them. A few crystals, such as selenite, citrine, kyanite, and carnelian, do not absorb negative energy and do not need to be cleansed regularly.
Please research your crystal and take careful note of the directions, as some crystals cannot tolerate certain cleansing methods.
Here are some options for cleansing:
Sea Salt
Submerge the crystals in sea salt or Himalayan salt and leave for 24 hours. Dispose of the salt afterwards as it will have absorbed negative and unwanted energies.
Stones and minerals that should be kept away from salt include pyrite, Lapis Lazuli, opal, hematite, etc.
Brown Rice
Submerge the crystals in raw brown rice and leave for 24 hours. Dispose of the rice afterwards as it will have absorbed negative and unwanted energies.
Flame Source
Light a candle. Pass the crystal above the flame for a few minutes, or until you feel that the crystal has been cleansed. Some people set an intention when cleansing, such as thanking the universe or God for cleansing this crystal and transmuting all energies to positive ones.
Water
Allow your crystals to sit in a full drinking glass or bowl, or hold them under cool running tap water for several minutes. Running water will cleanse and energize the crystals at the same time.
Check that your crystal can be submerged safely in water, which may have an adverse effect on porous stones or those with high metal content (e.g. opal). Some crystals, such as selenite or desert rose, will dissolve in water. Clustered crystals or those that crumble easily, such as sulfur, kyanite, zeolite, azurite, etc., should not be held underwater.
Note: if using crystals for creating drinking elixirs or skincare preparations, you must first wash them in warm soapy water and then thoroughly rinse them. Always consult with a knowledgeable practitioner and be sure your crystals are of the non-toxic variety.
Salt Water
Submerge crystals in a bowl or glass of mild salt water. As indicated above, some crystals do not tolerate water or salt; research your crystal first.
Smudging
Pass the crystals through the smoke from a smudge stick. Sage smoke acts as an energetic vacuum and removes negative or stagnant energies, creating a blank slate for the introduction of new, positive energies.
Sunlight or Moonlight
The natural energies transmitted by the sun and moon can also cleanse and energise your crystals. Place your crystals on a window sill or outdoors in sunlight for a few hours or in moonlight overnight. Note that some coloured crystals (e.g. amethyst) may fade over time if left in strong sunlight too often.
Tuning Fork
Tune your crystals with the resonance of a tuning fork, bell, or singing bowl. If using a tuning fork, strike the fork on a solid object, not the crystal, to produce sound, and pass over the crystal in a clockwise rotation several times.
Reiki or other Hands-on Healing Energies
If you are a Reiki practitioner, Intergrated Energy Therapist, etc., you can cleanse crystals and charge them with healing energy, or perform the Reiki symbols over the crystals.
