If you work with crystals for healing, you’re probably familiar with the many different methods of cleansing them. What you may not know, though, is that many crystal experts claim that there are certain crystals that don’t need to be cleansed – they say that some crystals aren’t capable of holding onto negative or stagnant energies. What do you think?
When it comes to crystal cleansing, there are tons of differing opinions in the crystal healing community: how to cleanse, when to cleanse, why to cleanse…But the most interesting, and sometimes controversial, topic surrounding cleansing, is whether or not ALL stones need cleansing.
If you’re anything like me, you’re a total crystal junkie. This often leads to a fews hours perusing books and the internet and reading everything you can about stones. It seems I’m constantly coming across lists of stones that never need cleansing. Maybe you’ve seen this to and wondered, “Why these stones?” or “Who came up with this?”
Well, these lists can vary from source to source, sometimes having a smattering of the same crystals on each list, while other times being completely different from one another.
I’ve always known Melody, author of the “Love is in the Earth” series of books, to be the original author of one such list of stones. Her list has continued to grow over the years and now includes 26 stones:
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- Pearl Agate
- Astronomite
- Green Beryl with a Blue Flash
- Borax
- Citrine
- Frondelite
- Halite (Electrified Translucent Massive)
- Kyanite
- Menezesite
- Metamorphosis Quartz
- Park Forest Meteorite
- Green Obsidian with Perlite
- Ouro Verde Quartz
- Peridot with Magnetite 7 Chromite
- Spitzkopfe Phenacite
- Pre-Cambrian Impact Structure
- Reciprocal Space Quartz
- Tektonic Quartz
- Titanium Included Quartz
- Rhodizite
- Smoky/Citrine Combination
- Super Seven
- Guangdong Tektite
- Philippine Tektite
- Viking Balls
- Yoderite
I believe that the other lists of stones that don’t require cleansing often stem from this list and often include additional stones not seen here (perhaps intuitive additions added by each author).
But why should some stones never need cleansing?
As many of you probably know, I adore Melody. She is a mentor and a role model and I try to soak up every morsel of knowledge I can from her.
BUT, when it comes to this one particular subject, I just HAD to ask her, why these stones?
She explained to me that in her experience, these stones just didn’t have the capability to hold on to negative energy.
I thought that was a very interesting concept. BUT (yes…another big “but” here), I also got to thinking about this idea. It’s my opinion that we each hold our own unique energy vibration, just like each crystal has a unique frequency. I think this is why some people connect with certain stones so strongly and not with others. For example, I may love to use Auralite-23 for meditation, but it might not be your cup of tea. Perhaps you work best with Sugilite for your blissed out crystal journeys.
If we each connect and interact with crystals in different ways, maybe this whole cleansing issue depends upon the person using the stone. Maybe Citrine never feels as if it’s storing negative vibes to one person, but another person would feel differently.
Now, I’m not totally sure about any of this, and my default stance on crystal work is usually “do what feels right for you.” However, when it comes to this particular issue, I feel like it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Right?
Cleansing can be such a quick and simple thing to do, why not just do it for all crystal anyway? Even if you truly feel there is no negativity whatsoever in that piece of Citrine or kyanite you’re using, why not just give it a quick cleanse anyway? A bit of an energy “spruce up” so to speak. I’m sure your crystal will love it even if it’s not needed.
What’s the difference between charging, programming and cleansing?
If you need some quick and easy cleansing tips, be sure to check out this article to learn 10 different cleansing methods that you can use to cleanse your healing stones.
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47 Responses
I totally don’t resonate with the concept that some crystals don’t need some sort of cleansing now and again. I’m not a crystal “cleanse” freak, but a little clearing now and again, does a crystal good. ? Great article.
Thanks for your comment Kimberlei! We appreciate your feedback and are glad you enjoyed the article!
Can palo santo clean crystals?
Hi Susie! Yes – it is a favorite choice of many. 🙂 But we’d recommend ONLY using sustainably harvested Palo Santo, that is fair trade. <3 Crystal Blessings!
Yes. I use paleo on mine. Some crystals need cleansing more often the. Others depending on what your using
Them for and how often. If it’s a crystal that removes negative energy ex black tourmaline, then you’ll probably want to cleanse that one more often then say your rose quartz.
Absolutely! And follow your intuition – if you feel that they need to be cleansed, then it’s likely the right time. 🙂
Maybe an initial cleanse when you “adopt” them is a good idea, but I feel everything can benefit from an occasional freshening up. Nothing major, just basic maintenance.
Hi Eleanor, thank you for your comment! Crystal blessings!
What about selenite? I thought it was used to cleanse other stones? And black tourmaline, etc supposed to repel negative energy as it’s main property? I cleanse them anyway, but I’m currently charging under the full moon. Much love all??????
It’s still good to always cleanse everything. 🙂 Even the crystals that help cleanse others or repel negativity. <3 Charging them under the full moon is a great practice to maintain as well! Crystal Blessings 🙂
Mine always need dusted. I usually wash with water or wipe the softer ones. I play lots of fun & zen music to make them happy & I feel they benefit from it & look nicer:)
Hi Ginger! Thank you for reading and for your comment. Crystal blessings!
Play music to our crystals ? I love it. Thank you cool dude xx
I clean my crystals many times a day with bells smoke and light. Charge them mainly by moonlight as their out in the daylight most of the time. Ps did you know jasmine empowers them but be careful with the lust as we don’t want our marriage falling apart we only do this occasionally.
Of course! Yes, cleansing crystals with bells, smoke and light are also wonderful ways to go about it! <3 Crystal Blessings
I think it can’t hurt…and they love the attention…
Hi Patricia, thanks for your comment and thank you for reading our blog. Crystal blessings!
I cleanse all my crystals when I think they need it. As you say, better safe than sorry and I feel better knowing that nothing negative is hanging onto any of my crystals.
Hi Eileen, yes, better safe than sorry! Thanks so much for your comment.
I agree it *is* better to be safe than sorry … and I think to *refresh* them is respective and healing for the Devas of the Crystals too. I use a Gong to clear in groups and use plain cold running water for those that can be washed. I will use Sunlight for Quartz Crystals, but I believe they all deserve some R & R (rest and refreshment) on occasion! Thanks for another great article Ashley ~ !
Thank you Fay! It is wonderful to hear how loving and caring you are with your crystals. Crystal blessings to you!
would putting the out during the full moon be cleasning enough? I usually ask “who wants to go out”?
Putting them out in any moonlight overnight would be enough to cleanse (it doesn’t have to be a FULL moon though). Thanks for your comment, crystal blessings!
I cleanse all of my stones. Even if they don’t need it, it can’t hurt, right?
It sure can’t Debi. Thanks for your comment, crystal blessings!
I’m pretty new to the crystal thing but the other day we went to our local gypsy store and bought some… I had my 4 year old little miss we me and of course she was touching EVERYTHING lol… that night she had two of the worst night terrors… she was telling me things about her dream that she has never even been exposed to and they were not pleasant at all 🙁 anywho, I ended up losing the bag of crystals somewhere between there and home so it was a huge eye opening experience… obviously those stones were not meant for us AND that ALL stones will be cleansed before they are allowed to take up real estate in my house. Again, better to be safe than sorry!
Wow Cody, thanks for sharing your story! I hope you’re next crystal shopping experience will be more positive!
I agree! Thank you for speaking out! Namaste and crystal blessings.
Thanks so much for your comment! 🙂
How bout if crystals carry energy like we do and we need and energy cleansing every now and then why don’t crystals?
I learned the hard way that some crystals should not be cleansed with water…. I have/had a beautiful hematite included Quartz cluster. Well, I usually put them in a Tibetan singing bowl for cleansing but this particular specimen was too big so I thought, alright I will put water in the bowl, do what I usually do and pour it into the water filled sink holding the cluster. 10 minutes later I come back to red water. I have never had an issue with water Bc I generally know which stones can and can not be in contact with water. Seeing as how this cluster is was INCLUDED in the Quartz which has never had an issue with a water cleanse I ASSUMED (wrongly) this would work just fine. Nope.
Basically just make sure you pick a safe cleansing method so you don’t change the structure of the piece.
Absolutely! Thank you for sharing Katie <3 Crystal Blessings!
My name is Frankie….this info has been so enlightening, my Gratitude! QUESTION: Can essential oil of SAGE used in a diffuser be used in cleansing rather than a smudge stick????
Hi Frankie! So glad you enjoyed the post. Ashley recommends putting the sage oil in a mister bottle rather than a diffuser for cleansing 🙂 Crystal blessings!
Hi, Last year a dear friend was dying and to help him meditate, I gave him a Crystal and a book, he died just before Christmas. Then the first week of Nov. about the same time I had gave him the Crystal it was to was returned to me by his son who is also good Friends with me and I never ask for it. He just knew I collect rocks and said he had a feeling I would like this one. But now having it back, I don’t want to clean it because I feel I still carries my friends energy… but for how long? or did that energy expelled once the Crystal came back to me? any advice?
Hi– thank you so much for sharing <3 It is possible to cleanse negativity from a stone without cleansing the positive vibration a crystal holds from its journey working with others. Just be clear in your intention while cleansing. We wish you the very best with your special crystal. Crystal blessings!
I usually give my crystals a “group” clesnsing once a month. My favourites who work extra ( like accompanying me to work or on journeys or go under my pillow get cleansed more often to clear them of any negative vibes they may have picked up . I guess its up to each person what they do. No wrongs or rights. Namaste.
Hey Jacqueline! Thanks so much for reading 🙂 That is perfect and we completely agree- always do what works best for you! <3 Crystal blessings!
I loved the article, very informative. Personally, I don’t cleanse all of my crystals either. What I will do with most is bring them back into alignment with my vibration by using sound like a singing bowl or tuning fork. Sometimes, I will use drums as well. When I purchase a new crystal, I don’t soak it in water with salt automatically – I check to see if the crystal can even be placed in water or salt or the combination. Because not all crystals can be cleansed like this, nor placed in direct sunlight for the Sun to cleanse them, I tend to use sound while holding the crystals in the palm of my hand while I place my intentions on the crystal and attune myself to its vibration.
Love this, Yvette! <3 What a wonderful practice for staying in tune with your crystals-- thank you so much for sharing! Crystal blessings <3
Can I program a few crystals at a time? Mine are small, and would take forever, one by one
Hey Terry! <3 Thanks so much for reading & for your question. We strongly recommend just doing one at a time-- you're right that it would take a long time to do each one individually, but when programming crystals it's best to slow ourselves wayyyyyy down so we can connect to the individual energy of each crystal. Sometimes if we try to do too many things at once, our intention gets scattered and the programming does come through as strongly <3 If you're programming one crystal at a time, the intention you're setting for that specific crystal will program it more strongly and it will be able to work with you for the highest good. I hope that helps! Let us know if you have any more questions <3 Crystal blessings!
Newby here. What does programming crystals mean? How do you do it? I have a very few small ones and keep them in my pocket most of the time. I set them on a clearing stone sometimes at night while I sleep. The ones I don’t have in my pocket sit on a table in the house, in the sunlight. Are crystals with points more valuable than those without? Do the points have to point at something?
We have tons of blogs that will answer these questions Terry 🙂 you can start with these ones if you like – https://loveandlightschool.com/category/crystals-beginners/ crystal blessings <3
Great questions and comments. Thank you.
My question/comment…I have a very large amethyst that was gifted to me just before my sister passed away 18 years ago. About 10 years ago a “friend” came to visit and decided the amethyst needed to go outside for some fresh air and cleansing…it was outside for a couple of days until I noticed the color appeared to be fading on one side. Does that typically happen? My birth stone is amethyst and I have had many and never had any do that before. Why do you think it happened to this one?
Hi Valerie! It’s very common for Amethyst to fade in sunlight. Crystal blessings
I was always told that burning incense and holding the crystals into the smoke would be a good way to cleanse them, along with holding the intention. Is this not accurate? If not, I have unfortunately been doing this since the past 1.5 years or so until reading this article and finding that lavender or sound baths would be better.
I have recently been new to the CCH program and wish I had joined earlier instead of getting my information from a bunch of random sites!
Hi Christina! You can absolutely burn incense as a way to cleanse crystals. There are many ways to cleanse, this one is totally acceptable! <3 Crystal Blessings