Crystals often travel a long way before they reach us & passed through many hands.

The journey exposes the stone to energies that may not be aligned with your own.

When the stones are used for healing or meditation, it is said that the stones absorb or redirect the negativity you’re working to release.

Ensuring that you are regularly cleansing and recharging your stones is the only way to restore your crystal to its natural state. The process also enables you to add your own energy & intentions while you care for them.

I have added the most common cleansing methods, how to align a crystal with your intention, and more.

Running water

Water neutralises any negative energy stored inside the stone and return it back to the earth. Although natural running water — like a stream — is best, you can also rinse your stone under the tap

Make sure your stone is completely submerged. Pat dry when complete.

How long ?: 1 minute per stone

Which stones should you use it for?: hard stones, such as quartz

Not suitable for: stones that are brittle or soft, such as selenite & kyanite.

Saltwater

Salt can be used to absorb unwanted energy and banish negativity.

Fresh saltwater is best but if not available you can mix a tablespoon of sea, rock, or table salt into a bowl of water.

Ensure that your stone is completely submerged, and let it soak for a few hours to a few days. Rinse them and pat dry when complete.

How long?: up to 48 hours

Which stones should you use it for?: hard stones, such as quartz and amethyst

Not suitable for: stones that are soft, porous, or contain trace metals, such as malachite, selenite, calcite, lepidolite, and angelite

Brown rice

An easy method to draw out negativity in a safe and contained setting. It’s especially useful for protective stones, such as black tourmaline.

Fill a bowl with dry brown rice and bury your stone under the grains. Throw away the rice immediately after cleansing, as the rice will have absorbed the energy you’re trying to get rid of.

How long?: 24 hours

Which stones can you use this for: any stone

Moonlight or natural light

Although ritual cleansing is normally at full moon, you can also set your stones out at any time to cleanse and recharge.

Put your stones out before it gets dark and plan to bring them in before 11 a.m. — this will allow your stone to bathe in the light of both the moon and sun.

Try to place your stones directly on the earth. Ensure that they won’t be disturbed by anyone.

Afterward, give the stone a quick rinse to remove any dirt. Pat dry.

How long?: 10 to 12 hours

Which stones can you use this for?: most tumbled stones

Not suitable for: vibrant stones, such as amethyst, in sunlight; soft stones, such as celestite and selenite, that may be damaged by the weather

Sage

Sage is a sacred plant with a lots of healing properties. Smudging your stone is said to clear inharmonious vibrations and restore its natural energy.

You’ll need:

a fire-safe bowl
a lighter or matches
loose or bundled sage

If you’re unable to smudge outdoors, make sure you’re near an open window. This will allow the smoke and negative energy to disperse.

When you’re ready, light the tip of the sage with the flame. Transfer the sage to your nondominant hand and firmly grasp your stone and move it through the smoke.

Allow the smoke to envelop the stone for about 30 seconds.

How long?: about 30 to 60 seconds per stone

What stone can you use this for?: any stone

Using a larger stone

Large quartz clusters, amethyst geodes, and selenite slabs can be great tools for clearing smaller stones.

Place your stone directly inside or on top of any of these stones. The larger stone’s vibrations remove the energies found in the resting stone.

How long?: 24 hours

Which stone can you use this for?: any stone

Using smaller stones

Carnelian, clear quartz, and hematite have an overall clearing effect. As they tend to be smaller , you may need to have more than one on hand to clear other stones.

Place the clearing stones into a small bowl, and set the stone you want to restore on top.

How long?: 24 hours

Use this for: any stone

Breath

Breathwork can also be used for cleaning.

To get started, hold the stone in your dominant hand. Focus on your intention for a moment and deeply inhale through your nostrils.

Bring the stone closer to your face and exhale short, breaths through the nose and onto the stone to bring the stone to its highest vibration.

How long? : about 30 seconds per stone

Use this for: small stones

Visualisation This is the safest way to clear stones, it can be intimidating for some. The more in tune you are with your sense of self, the easier it may be to redirect your energy to the stone you want to restore.

Take a few minutes to ground and center your energy, then pick up your stone and visualise your hands filling with white, radiant light. See this light surrounding the stone and feel it growing brighter in your hands. Imagine the impurities flushing out of the stone, allowing the stone to shine brighter with renewed purpose. Continue this visualisation until you feel a shift in the stone’s energy.

How long? : about 1 minute per stone

Use this for: any stone

How to program your crystals

Although crystals are said to have innate healing properties, taking the time to set an intention for your stone can help you connect with its energy and restore your own sense of purpose. You may feel comfortable holding the stone in your hand as you meditate, or placing it on your third eye. You can also lay back and allow the stone to rest on the area of the body that you wish to work with. Envision the stone’s energy merging with your own. Speak to the stone — silently or verbally — and ask for assistance in working through your current issue. Thank the stone for its presence then spend a few minutes in meditation.

How to activate your crystal

If your stone feels heavier than expected — like it’s lost its shine — it may benefit from a little energetic activation. Try lending it some of your own energy by speaking to it, singing to it, or sending it some vital life force energy through your breath. A little interaction can go a long way! If you have plans outside, consider taking the stone out with you. Many people find that allowing the stone to soak up natural energy at the park or beach has a powerful effect. Popular choices include ruby, clear quartz, apophyllite, kyanite, selenite, and carnelian. You can use whatever stones you’re drawn toward. Just make sure they fully surround the main crystal so that it can completely bask in their vibrations.