Let us begin by first differentiating between cleansing and charging. To cleanse a crystal is to remove the energy that a stone has absorbed and return it to a clean, pure energy. To charge a a crystal is to replenish its energy after it has been depleted. Though some use these words interchangeably, a crystal must often be cleansed before it can be charged.

Continue reading to learn about a few ways to cleanse, charge, and program crystals your crystals to ensure your financial and spiritual investment is most worthwhile.

How to cleanse your crystals? 

“The purpose of cleansing is to purify and honor the stone, recognizing the vast journey it has undergone to get to you now.”

1. Running Water

Crystals love water. Water neutralises the negative energy stored inside the crystal and returns it back to the earth. You can rinse your crystal under a faucet or dip in a bowl of water for a few minutes.

Expert Tip:  Don’t use this for stones that are soft or brittle such as selenite or kyanite

2. Salt Water

Salt has existed since ancient times as a powerful energy cleanser. If you are near the ocean or sea, take your crystals for a field trip and cleanse them with the salty water. Alternatively you can mix a tablespoon of rock salt in a bowl of water.

Make sure the crystals are completely submerged in the water and allow them to soak for a couple of hours.

Expert Tip: Only use this for hard formation crystals such as quartz and amethyst.

3. Smudging

Sage is sacred plant with a multitude of healing properties. Smudging your crystals with sage returns the crystals back to its pure vibrations. Allow the smoke from your burning sage to envelope the crystals for at least 30 seconds

Expert Tip: A good alternative to sage smudging is to use palo santo. This holy wood is equally powerful to bring back the love to your crystals.

How to Charge your crystals? 

Each of us has our own way in which we believe most empowers the crystal. Try them all, recognizing each gem has its own preference as well and see which method you like best to charge your crystals.

1. Under the Moon

The energies of the moon are most purifying. The moon as a feminine energy help immensely with emotional and spiritual healing.

Place the crystals directly under the moonlight and charge them under new or full moons for the most potent frequencies.

Expert tip: It would be irresponsible to honor the moon and not recognize the power of the sun! Charging your crystals in the sunlight will super-charge your crystal and give it drive and focus. You can place the crystals for charging at night and let them be there until 11:00 AM the next morning so they are aligned with the power of both the sun & the moon.

2. Earth 

Burying your crystals in the earth gets rid of all lingering energy as the earth absorbs everything. Give your crystals a rest and let them recharge in the mothers womb as a powerful and effective way of reprogramming your crystals.

Expert tip: Whilst it is totally up to you how long you want to keep your crystals buried – 3,7 or 11 days are recommended to give your crystals a total reset.

3. Sound

What if you have a large collection of crystals and your are unable to carry them to charge under the sun or the moon? Sound healing is an effective way to help crystals return to their original vibration.

This can be accomplished using chanting, singing bowls, a tuning fork, or even a nice bell. It doesn’t matter what key the sound is, so long as the sound emitted is loud enough for the vibration to fully encompass the stone.

Expert tip: You do not need any instruments to use this way, even the sound of your voice is recognised by crystals and is effective to help charge them!

When we care for our crystals, we’re caring for ourselves. We’re allowing energy that’s inharmonious with our lives and intentions to leave in a peaceful and healing manner.

Taking these small measures allows us to be more mindful in our interactions with the stones, with ourselves, and with others.