Can I Shower with My Crystal Bracelet
Many people are curious about whether or not it is okay to shower with their crystal bracelets on, be it out of convenience, or just not wanting to part with our crystals. There are a few things you should keep in mind in order to ensure that your bracelet stays in good condition. In this blog post, I will share some tips on how to properly care for your bracelet while showering.
Can I Shower with My Crystal Bracelet?
Showering with your crystal bracelet is a great way to cleanse your energy and remove any negative energy that you may have picked up during the day. It’s also important that you cleanse your crystals regularly for this reason. So is it ok to shower with your crystal bracelet? It depends on the type of crystal. While most common crystals are fine to come into contact with water for an extended period of time, there are some which can only come into contact with water for a short while, and some should never come into contact with water at all.
A General Guide is to Look at the Mohs Scale
We determine which crystals can come into contact with water, and for how long, by looking at the Mohs Mineral Hardness Scale. It is not definitive, but it serves as a good gauge. The Mohs scale is a scale from 1 to 10 that reflects the hardness of a mineral, with 10 being the hardest and 1 being the softest. To give you a point of reference, diamonds have a rating of 10 and talcs have a rating of 1. In general, softer crystals tend to be more porous, which allows water to pass through much more easier than harder crystals.
Mohs Hardness of 6 or Higher
Crystals that have a Mohs hardness rating of 6 or higher are generally water-safe. You can submerge them in water for a short period of time without damaging your crystals. Crystals with a Mohs rating of 7 or higher can be submerged for a longer period of time too.
Mohs Hardness of 4 to 5
Crystals that have a Mohs hardness rating of 4 to 5 can safely come into contact with water (non-salt). But it’s not recommended to constantly fully submerge them into water for more than a few minutes. And after coming into contact with water, you should pat them down with an absorbent cloth and ensure that they are completely dry. Crystals in this range are generally fine with water contact, so long as you take care not to have them excessively wet for long periods of time.
Mohs Hardness of 3
For crystals that have a Mohs hardness rating of 3, you should only briefly wash them, then dry them completely with a soft absorbent cloth right away. It’s advisable to remove them before showering. They are fine coming into quick contact with water, but should not be left wet for too long. You need to put a little extra care for crystals in this range so that they look beautiful for a long time.
Mohs Hardness of 2 and Below
Anything with a Mohs hardness rating of 2 and below should not come into contact with water at all. If it does, be sure to dry them completely as soon as possible. Crystals in this range are soft and sometimes even water soluble. Just imagine daily items like salt or chalk coming into contact with water (an extreme example); they dissolve almost instantly. So remember not to get “soft” crystals wet at all!
Other Considerations
Also note that there are some exceptions to these guidelines. Some “hard” crystals should not come into contact with water (such as those with iron oxide in them), and some “soft” crystals are fine to come into contact with water.
Also, there are crystals that are toxic to humans such as malachite, which releases toxic fumes containing copper when they get wet.
Crystals that Can be Safely Washed with Water (Polished Form)
Here is a list of crystals that you can take a shower with, with minimal impact to them. Many have also reported no effects on these crystals after taking baths with them too.
- Agate
- Amazonite
- Amethyst
- Aquamarine
- Aventurine
- Black Tourmaline
- Carnelian
- Chalcedony
- Citrine
- Diamond
- Emerald
- Garnet
- Jade
- Jasper
- Kunzite
- Labradorite
- Moonstone
- Morganite
- Tanzanite
- Tiger’s Eye
- Topaz
- Obsidian
- Peridot
- Clear Quartz
- Rose Quartz
- Rutilated Quartz
- Smoky Quartz
- Snow Quartz
- Ruby
- Sapphire
Crystals that Can be Washed with Water Briefly (Polished Form)
You can have quick showers with crystals in this range from time to time, but be sure to dry them completely immediately after your shower. It is advisable not to soak in a bath with these crystals, so remember to remove them before your bath time!
- Angelite
- Apatite
- Azurite
- Calcite
- Celestite
- Fluoride
- Howlite
- Kyanite
- Lapis Lazuli
- Obsidian
- Opal
- Pyrite
- Sodalite
- Turquoise
Crystals that Should Not Come into Contact with Water
These crystals should not come into contact with water. You need to take special care to remember not to get them wet at all!
- Hematite (contains iron oxide)
- Lepidolite
- Malachite (releases toxic copper fumes when wet)
- Selenite
- Tangerine Quartz (contains iron oxide)
Can Crystals Come in Contact With Soap?
A mild soap or cleanser can generally be safely used for water-safe crystals. For crystals that should not come into contact with water at all, it’s pretty clear that you should not get soap on them as well. Anything in between (most crystals from 3 to 5 on the Mohs scale) you should only use a small amount of soap very briefly.
You may want to consider using a natural soap instead of commercial products. Natural soaps tend to be gentler on your skin and won’t cause any damage to your crystals. Also, if you’re concerned about getting soap residue on your crystals, you can always rinse them off thoroughly afterwards.
Can I Wash My Crystals with Hot or Cold Water?
Some crystals are sensitive to sudden temperature changes. Feldspar crystals such as labradorite and moonstone are known to behave this way. This is because they are subjected to thermal shock which could cause cracks and fractures in the stone. You should avoid washing these types of crystals with water of extreme temperatures.
Can My Crystals Come into Contact with Cleaning Chemicals?
It is good to be mindful about your crystals when you are cleaning up your house. Lots of cleaning solutions contain chemicals that may harm your crystals. Take extra care whenever you are working with cleaning solutions, or remove your crystal accessories when you are doing your house chores.
