Is Amethyst Water Safe? (This is the Right Answer)

Amethyst is one of the most popular gemstones purchased and is the official birthstone for those born in February.

Having been around for thousands of years, it’s an affordable crystal often purchased for its beauty as well as metaphysical properties dating back to Egyptian times.

One such question is if amethyst can go in water.  While amethyst can, there are a few things you should know.

In this guide, let’s explore everything you should know about amethyst and water.

Can amethyst go in water?

In general, amethyst can go in water, mainly because it’s rated as a seven on the Mohs Hardness Scale, which is used as a way to measure its relative resistance to scratching.  The higher the number is on this scale, the harder it will be to scratch.  A larger number can scratch a lower number, however, a lower number can never scratch a higher number.  A diamond, for instance, being a 10, will be the hardest stone and will be nearly impossible to scratch, whereas something such as talc will be a one on the scale, and can be scratched by almost anything.

The reason you need to know about this hardness scale is that it can often correlate to letting a gemstone sit in water.  Using that diamond example, it will be fine underwater much more than something such as talc.  When a crystal is soft, it can eventually break or dissolve if submerged for a long period of time.  While a quick dip is okay for most crystals, leaving any in water for a long time can do more damage than expected.

Usually, if your crystal measures less than a five on the Mohs Hardness Scale, you will want to avoid submerging your crystal in water for no more than a few minutes.  However, just because a crystal is higher than a five, it doesn’t always mean you should be safe to let it sit in water.  For instance, a harder stone, especially if it’s metallic, can rust or even disintegration.  This is especially the case if the crystals contain copper.

Lastly, be careful with the temperature of your water as hot water will not mix well with a colder crystal.  This can greatly increase the chances of cracking the crystal and can do much more damage than good.  While warm water is okay, be sure it isn’t too hot, and always make sure your crystal is at room temperature when touching it.  This safety precaution can assure you that your amethyst won’t crack.

Can amethyst go in salt water?

Like non-salt water, dipping an amethyst in salt water is completely fine, however, submerging it for prolonged periods can lead to corrosion. This can be said about any crystal. As salt can reach its way into the tiniest cracks, it can even discolor an amethyst.  Granted, this will take some time, but it’s always best to play it safe.

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Cleansing your amethyst with water

By now, we know that submerging your amethyst in water for a few minutes is 100% fine.  Nothing will happen as long as it’s not living in the water.

If you want to cleanse your amethyst using water, one of the best ways is to let it sit out under the rain during the storm.  It is said that this is one of the better ways to cleanse your crystals in a natural way since storms can produce negatively charged ions.  If you’re uneasy doing this, a bowl of rainwater can do the trick, too.

Aside from rain water, water charged from the moon can work as well.  The moon is believed to have a powerful cleansing effect, as it’s said to help clear any unwanted energies.  If you do go this route, be sure to set a glass of water beneath a full moon since this is when the moon’s energy is the most potent.

In the end, water is usually friendly to amethyst as long as you don’t submerge it for weeks or months.  A quick dip and air dry will always be fine, as long as you’re not using any harsh chemicals.

One of the best ways to cleanse your amethyst is simply by mixing a soft soap with water.  Rinse your amethyst for no longer than a few minutes and then dry it with a soft cloth.  Let it air dry and your amethyst will be as good as new.