GEM STONE Cleansing / Care

Four Cleansing Methods

Any of the four methods described below can cleanse therapeutic gems of the disharmonious energies they tend to collect during use. For certain gemstones, some methods are more appropriate than others; these special considerations are noted where required.

Water Rinse Two to three times a week, or more often as needed

Rinsing gemstones in water gently washes away many of the gems’ accumulated energies. Hold the entire necklace under alternating hot and cold running water for about 60 seconds. To ensure that the water doesn’t become too hot, test the temperature with your fingers; if the water is too hot for your fingers, it may be too hot for the gems.

Special considerations: Rinsing will dull the polish of Rhodochrosite, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Sodalight, Indigo, and Mother of Pearl. Therefore, use other cleansing methods for these gems.

Every three to four weeks: For gemstones that tolerate rinsing, occasionally use a small amount of mild, non-synthetic soap to remove body oils from the surface of the gems.

Salt Bed Two to three times a week, or more often as needed

Salt absorbs the disharmonious energies that accumulate on the surface of therapeutic gems. Lay the gemstones in about a half-inch of salt in a bowl for at least an hour or overnight. Replace the salt about every two weeks.

Oceanstones: To cleanse necklaces containing oceanstones (Mother of Pearl, Biwa Pearl, or Coral), use sea salt instead of table salt. Another option is to soak an oceanstone necklace in a solution of two teaspoons sea salt for every half-cup of cool water. First lay the necklace flat in a bowl. Add water and then sprinkle the salt into it. Some of the salt may settle on the gems before dissolving, aiding the cleansing process. Soak for 15 to 30 minutes. Then briefly rinse the gems with clear water before patting them dry.

Plant Rejuvenation Two to three times a week, or more often as needed

Plants generate a living energy field that can absorb and transform the disharmonious energies we release. Wrap a gemstone necklace around the base of a healthy houseplant, or lay the necklace in its branches. For a deeper cleansing and rejuvenation, place the gemstones outside in the branches of, or underneath, a shrub or tree for several days.

Sunbath Every one to two weeks, or more often as needed

Sunshine clears, energizes, and revitalizes therapeutic gems. Unless the gems are water-sensitive, first rinse them as described above. Then lay the gems in direct sunlight for 10 to 20 minutes (unless indicated otherwise in the chart on the next two pages). Ideally, expose the gems to the sun directly, rather than through a glass windowpane. If possible, lay the gems directly on the earth, grass, or branches of a plant. Avoid excessive exposure to the sun.