Crystals That Should Never Get Wet (and How to Cleanse Them Instead)

Most cleansing advice assumes a stone can go under the tap or sit in a bowl of salt water. For a handful of popular crystals, that's the fastest way to ruin them. Here are the five that should stay dry, why water damages each one, and what to do instead.

The short answer

Keep Selenite, Angelite, Pyrite, Malachite and Lapis Lazuli out of water, salt and damp soil. Cleanse them with dry methods instead: a soft brush or cloth for dust, and moonlight, smoke, sound or simple intention for the traditional side. If one gets wet by accident, pat it dry straight away and let it air-dry somewhere with low humidity.

Why water damages these stones

Each of these five fails for a different reason, which is worth knowing. It's the reason you can trust the rule instead of just memorizing it.

Selenite: it dissolves

Selenite is a form of gypsum and, at 2 on the Mohs scale, one of the softest stones you can own. Gypsum is slightly water-soluble, so water clouds the surface, pits it and slowly wears it away. A long soak leaves a rough, chalky stone. Selenite is the one crystal that most often gets recommended for cleansing other stones, so it's worth treating it gently yourself.

Angelite: it converts

Angelite is blue anhydrite. Given enough moisture, anhydrite gradually absorbs water and turns into gypsum, the same mineral as Selenite. That's a slow change in the stone itself, not just a dulled surface, and it leaves the stone softer and chalkier than it started.

Pyrite: it oxidizes

Pyrite is iron sulfide, and it reacts with moisture and humid air. Collectors call the result "pyrite decay": the surface dulls, a white or yellowish powder appears, and the stone can crumble. It can also give off a faint sulfur smell and mark whatever it's stored next to. Humidity does this as well as water, so a bathroom shelf is a poor home for it.

Malachite: it's a copper mineral

Malachite is a copper carbonate. Finished, polished pieces are stable for normal handling, but soaking, salt and household chemicals can degrade the surface. There's also a safety reason. Never make a gem elixir or infuse drinking water with Malachite. Copper can leach into water, and swallowing it is a real health risk. This is one of the few places where a common crystal practice and basic safety point in opposite directions.

Lapis Lazuli: it's a rock, not one crystal

Lapis is a mix of blue lazurite, white calcite and gold flecks of pyrite. Calcite reacts to acids and prolonged moisture, and the flecks of pyrite have the problem described above. At 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale it's also softer than most stones people wear. A soak or an ultrasonic cleaner can dull its polish, so use a dry cloth.

How to cleanse them instead

Cleansing in the crystal sense is a tradition, a way of resetting a stone before you use it. Physically, the only thing your stone needs is to be free of dust and skin oils. So there are two jobs, and neither needs water.

Step 1: Clean off the dust

Wipe the stone with a soft, dry cloth. For carved detail or crevices, use a soft, dry makeup or paintbrush. If something is stuck on, a barely damp cloth is the most you should try on Malachite or Lapis, dried immediately. Skip even that on Selenite, Angelite and Pyrite.

Step 2: Choose a dry method

• Moonlight: set the stone on an indoor windowsill overnight. Bring it in before morning dew if you put it outside, since damp is the whole problem.
• Smoke: pass it through the smoke of incense or a smudge bundle, with the room ventilated.
• Sound: ring a small bell or singing bowl near it for a minute.
• Breath and intention: hold it and take a few slow breaths. It's the simplest method, and it works for every stone.

Step 3: Skip the salt and the soil

Don't bury these stones in salt, sand or soil. Salt draws moisture out of the air and can etch soft stones, and soil is damp by nature. If you like the idea, dry brown rice in a sealed container works better, as long as you wipe the stone before you put it in.

Step 4: Store them dry

Keep them in a drawer or box with a silica gel packet if your home is humid. Wrap Selenite and Angelite separately, since they scratch easily and shouldn't rub against harder stones.

What to do if one gets wet

Pat it dry right away with a soft cloth, without rubbing. Let it air-dry somewhere with low humidity and out of direct heat, since a radiator or hair dryer can crack it. Selenite that has only been briefly wet is often fine apart from a slightly duller patch. Pyrite that starts to show a white powder should be moved away from your other stones, because the decay can spread to whatever it's touching.

Other stones that need a little caution

The same dry-care habit suits a few more. Lepidolite is a soft mica that can work loose along its layers if soaked. Turquoise is porous, so perfume, lotion and chlorinated water can discolor it, and it's usually best put on last and taken off before swimming. Amber is soft fossil resin that dislikes solvents and alcohol-based products such as perfume.

When to pick a stone you can rinse

If cleansing under the tap is part of your routine, pick a harder stone. Clear Quartz (7 on the Mohs scale) and Black Tourmaline (7 to 7.5) are both water-safe for routine cleansing, so they suit a more hands-on routine. See our crystal combinations guide for pairings, including Lapis Lazuli + Selenite, which pairs two stones that both like to stay dry. You can also browse bracelets in the shop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put Selenite in water to cleanse it?

No. Selenite is gypsum, which is slightly water-soluble, so soaking will cloud and pit its surface. Use a dry cloth, and move it through smoke or moonlight if you want the traditional cleanse.

Can I cleanse Pyrite with salt?

It's best avoided. Salt attracts moisture, and moisture is what breaks Pyrite down. A dry cloth plus moonlight or smoke is safer.

Is a quick rinse okay for Lapis Lazuli?

Skip it if you can. The calcite in Lapis is sensitive to prolonged moisture and acids. A soft, dry cloth does the same job with no risk.

How do I know if my stone has water damage?

Look for a chalky or cloudy surface on Selenite and Angelite, a powdery white or yellowish film on Pyrite, and a dull, rough patch on Malachite or Lapis. If the damage is only on the surface, a gentle dry wipe won't fix it, but it will stop it getting worse.

A dry stone stays a good stone: keep these five out of the sink and they'll last for decades.