How To Cleanse Amethyst?

Amethyst is a powerful crystal that is highly treasured by crystal enthusiasts. Like any other crystal, it also required cleansing, charging, and purifying. In this article, we will explain how to cleanse amethyst.

What is Amethyst?

Amethyst is a healing crystal. Its name has been derived from the Ancient Greek word “Amethystus”, meaning ‘not drunken, since it was widely believed that this semi-precious gemstone protected its wielder from the effects of drunkenness. In Ancient Greece, vessels were made of Amethyst stone to drink and store wine and other beverages, as it was widely believed that it would prevent intoxication.

How Does Amethyst Look?

Amethyst is a crystal. It is hard and has flat surfaces and angular ends like every other type of crystal. Its color ranges from light lavender to dark purple depending on quality. It has a bright, glassy texture, and due to its shiny appearance, Amethyst is often worn as a piece of jewelry and as a birthstone by people born in February.

Amethyst is a Silicon mineral. It consists of molecules of Silicon Dioxide (SiO2). Its color comes from its exposure to small amounts of iron via the process of irradiation, or other transition metals in some cases, resulting from their displacement.

High-quality Amethyst crystals can be found in countries like Siberia, Sri Lanka, Brazil, and Uruguay. Other locations include Africa, Argentina, Spain, Afghanistan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, and the United States.

Properties of Amethyst

Amethyst is a Silicate mineral. It has considerable toughness and is less brittle. It ranks 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness in its pure form. The rank may slightly vary depending on the amount of impurities present.

Amethyst belongs to the Quartz family and it usually has a clear and transparent surface, resembling that of a violet-colored glass. However, some of them can be translucent (semi-transparent), or opaque (not transparent at all).

It has a boiling point of 2230 °C and a melting point of 1650 (±75) °C. Amethyst is insoluble in most solvents, including water.

Healing Properties of Amethyst

Amethyst is used by many in the form of semi-precious gemstone or healing crystal. It is widely used for crystal therapy and is recommended by many practitioners of medicine to be used for healing the mind and body. The purple Amethyst is considered powerful and holds a significant value in Ayurveda, vedic astrology, and other natural health practices. It is used for both mental and physical healing and is claimed to possess certain metaphysical properties as well. Its properties are discussed below:

Properties for Healing the Mind

People of Ancient Greece believed that Amethyst can prohibit intoxication from affecting one’s mind. It was used to retain one’s sanity and keep one away from the effects of alcohol.

At present times, it is believed by some that Amethyst helps in treating addiction.

Amethyst is said to promote serenity. It is worn to preserve one’s peace of mind. Amethyst is an excellent choice for people seeking mental stability, calmness, and relief from anxiety and mental suffering.

Properties for Healing the Body

Amethyst is believed to have a positive effect on one’s body. It can help strengthen the immune system, improve skin appearance, promote digestive health, reduce headaches, and regulate hormones.

Metaphysical Properties

It is widely believed that Amethyst crystals can heal one spiritually, as well as enhance one’s spiritual vision. Like many other gemstones, Amethyst can drive negative forces away from its owner. It repels negative energy and helps maintain calmness and peacefulness in the surrounding.

How to Use Amethysts

Amethysts can be carried inside the pocket or purse, worn as a piece of jewelry in the form of a bracelet, ring, or necklace, or placed in various forms inside the house to receive maximum benefits.

Should Amethyst be Cleansed?

Cleaning your Amethyst crystal is a very crucial procedure. Before reaching the owner, these crystals travel long distances, changing hands frequently in the process. Each time they are held by a different person, these crystals harness the energy of their wielder. Therefore, when the crystal finally reaches us, we must cleanse it thoroughly and make certain that the Amethyst crystal does not contain any harmful energy.

Neutralizing the possible unwanted negative energy it might possess is an important step and should not be skipped or neglected.

These crystals should also be energetically cleansed from time to time depending on the frequency of their use.

After cleaning the Amethyst crystal, the owner should take precautions that it is not worn with any negative intention or energy in their heart. Keeping any pessimistic feelings or bearing negative intentions will render the whole process of cleansing meaningless.

Read more: What Crystals Can Go In Water?

What are the Methods One Can Use to Cleanse/Charge/Purify Amethyst Crystals Energetically?

Amethyst crystals can be energetically cleansed using various methods depending on which are most convenient for the owner. They have been listed below:

1) Water

2) Sunlight

3) Sound

4) Rice

5) Salt

6) Visualization

7) Energy Programming

8) Smoke

9) Negative Ions

10) Burying inside the Earth

11) Using other crystals

How to Use Water To Cleanse Amethyst

Water is one of the most effective ways to clean Amethyst crystals energetically. These gemstones rank 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness in their pure form. Any mineral ranking 5 or more on the scale is considered safe inside the water (however there may be exceptions).

Additionally, Amethyst crystals are insoluble in water. This means that they will not dissolve or develop cracks if left submerged underwater for a considerable amount of time.

To cleanse the crystals with water, they should be properly rinsed for about a minute. It should be ensured that the crystals are completely submerged in water while the process is in progress.

What kind of water should be used to cleanse the Amethyst crystals?

It is always better to use water collected from natural sources, such as streams or rivers. However, if such sources are not available nearby, tap water or water from a faucet, etc. also can be used. Following is a list of all sources of water one can use to cleanse the Amethyst crystals energetically.

1) Water from springs or rivers

Water from springs or rivers is a natural source, having a direct connection with the Earth. It is rich in energy and vibration and is excellent to be used as a medium for cleansing Amethyst crystals.
One can directly submerge their crystals under spring or river water for around a minute to cleanse them, or collect them in a bowl and keep the crystals underwater for some time. Both ways are equally effective, the owner can use any method as per the need.

2) Tap water

In case the water from natural sources is not available, normal tap water can be used to cleanse the crystals. It should be kept in mind that the water being used is at room temperature. Hot or cold water might damage the crystals resulting in cracks or a dull appearance.
It should also be kept in mind that the water is not too hard. Hard water contains a high quantity of minerals which may damage the Amethyst crystal.
To energetically cleanse Amethyst crystals with water, the owner can rinse it thoroughly with tap water or collect the water in a bowl and leave the crystals submerged under it for some time.

3) Filtered water

If the water available at your home is too hard, i.e. it contains a high quantity of minerals like calcium and magnesium, it is recommended that the water is first filtered so that the Amethyst crystals are not damaged during the cleansing process. One can use any filter available at home for this method and rinse the crystals in filtered water or collect them in a bowl and leave them untouched underwater for some time.
Water treated with charcoal also can be used as filtered water to clean the crystals.

4) Rainwater

Another effective source of water that can be used to cleanse your crystals is rainwater. During a storm, leave your crystals outside so that they can be washed with rainwater. As a natural source of water, rain is quite effective and cleans the crystals from any negative energy. Rainwater also can be collected in a bowl and later poured onto the crystals to cleanse them as per the convenience of the owner.

5) Crystal-infused water

This is an effective and creative technique to cleanse Amethyst crystals. It requires collecting water from natural sources like rivers or springs in a bowl and keeping a crystal submerged under it for about 8 to 12 hours. The water is then collected and sprayed over the Amethyst crystal to cleanse it energetically.

Using different crystals to infuse the water will boost the Amethyst crystal differently. One can choose the crystals as per their desire. However, precautions should be taken to ensure that the crystals are not damaged in the process as not all crystals hold high resistance to water.

6) Salt Water

Saltwater is believed to possess the power of driving negative energy away from the crystal. Water from the ocean can be collected to cleanse the Amethyst crystal. One can also visit the beach and rinse the crystal in sea or ocean water to drive away any negative energy that the crystal might possess.

In case natural sources of saltwater are not available, salt can be added to normal water at home and the process should then be continued.

However, it should be kept in mind that leaving the crystal submerged in saltwater for a long duration of time can damage it as saltwater contains a lot of minerals. When you feel like the negative energy has been removed from your crystal, be sure to take it out of the water.

How to Cleanse Amethyst using Crystal-infused Water?

Various crystals can be used to cleanse Amethyst and boost its energy and effects, as per the individual’s choice. A few examples are:

1) Citrine-infused water

Cleaning Amethyst with Citrine-infused water not only drives negative energy away but also boosts its positive effects, filling the surrounding with hope, confidence, clarity, and comfort.

Citrine: Citrine is a semi-precious gemstone. It is the yellow variant of Quartz. It comprises of molecules of Silicon Dioxide and its chemical formula is SiO2. Like all other crystals, citrine has a glassy texture and is usually transparent. It has flat surfaces with angular ends. Its color may vary from pale yellow to brownish orange.

Natural Citrine is found in the Ural Mountains of Russia, as well as in Madagascar. At present, Brazil and Bolivia are dominating the market when it comes to producing the best quality Citrine.

Citrine scores 7 on the Mohs hardness scale. Therefore, it is safe to cleanse it with water or leave it submerged underwater for some time. However, leaving it exposed to normal or salt water for a long time can be a bit risky as the stone might lose its color and shine, and start developing cracks.

2) Black-Obsidian infused water

Black obsidian infused water helps in strengthening the protection abilities of Amethyst crystal. It enhances the capacity of the stone to provide spiritual protection and resistance to psychic attacks.

Obsidian generally is dark in appearance. It is an igneous rock, formed as a result of a volcanic eruption. It can be obtained once the lava cools down and solidifies. Like other gemstones, obsidian is smooth on the surface and has a glassy texture. It is usually translucent, allowing only light to pass through it. While most obsidians have a color that varies from green to black, a few colorless obsidians also can be found. Obsidian is made up of molecules of Silicon Dioxide, and its chemical formula is SiO2.

It can be found near volcanoes. Countries like Argentina, Peru, Guinea, Chile, Canada, Italy, Japan, Iceland, Mexico, Kenya, New Zealand, and the United States are rich in Obsidian content.

Black Obsidian is tough and has a rank that ranges from 5 to 6 on the Mohs hardness scale.

Therefore, it is safe to submerge it underwater for some time. However, if kept underwater for a long time, or at frequent intervals, the stone might develop cracks and start dissolving, losing its shine in the process.

3) Blue Topaz-infused water

Blue Topaz-infused water can boost Amethyst’s ability to spread calmness and peacefulness. It can also enhance Amethyst’s ability to connect us with the spiritual world. 

Blue Topaz is another healing crystal used extensively as a piece of jewelry. It is a silicate mineral consisting of molecules of Aluminium and Fluorine. Its chemical formula is Al2SiO4(F, OH)2. Topaz can be found in various colors (colorless, white, blue, orange, brown, yellow, pink, green, red, etc.).

Natural Blue Topaz can be found in Texas (USA), and the Ural Mountains of Russia.

It is a hard crystal and has a relative toughness ranking 8 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Blue Topaz, therefore, is safe inside water and can be kept submerged under it.

How To Cleanse Amethyst Using Sunlight?

The Amethyst crystal can be left under the sun for a few hours so that its energy is restored and any negative energy is driven off. It is not recommended to keep the crystal exposed to sunlight for a long time as the heat and light emitted can potentially damage the crystal.

How To Cleanse Amethyst Using Sound?

Sound from tuning forks, bells, etc. can be used to vibrate the air molecules surrounding the crystals, cleansing them in the process. Around 5 minutes is enough to clean the Amethyst crystal from any negative energy it might harness when this method is used. Sound is considered an extremely effective method when it comes to cleaning Amethyst crystals energetically.

What frequency of tuning fork is best for cleaning Amethyst?

1) The Crystal Tuner

A crystal tuner, having a frequency of 4096 Hertz is considered ideal for energetically cleaning any crystal in general. It works best in the case of Quartz, such as the Amethyst. Crystal tuners are made of Aluminium, which is a soft metal and is considered great for sound healing. The vibration caused by a crystal tuner resonates with nature, amplifying the healing energy and refreshing one’s mind, restoring peace and serenity in the process. Crystal tuners are fragile and should therefore be handled with caution.

2) The 432 Hz Tuning fork

Another tuning fork good for cleansing Amethyst is the 432 Hz tuning fork. It is mainly used by sound therapists, musicians, educators, healing experts, and health professionals. The 432 Hz tuning fork is cheap, has an excellent quality, and is durable and long-lasting. It is made of Aluminium alloy and produced in the US.

The 432 Hz tuning fork sounds refreshing and melodious to the ears and is a great option when it comes to sound healing or cleansing crystals energetically.

Directions:

If you are using a tuning fork to create sound waves, tap it with a wooden or rubber stick. This will ensure that the tuning fork emits sound at a high vibration. While the tuning fork is buzzing, move it around the space surrounding the Amethyst crystal. The sound waves will drive negative forces away and purify the crystal energetically.

How To Cleanse Amethyst Using Rice?

Amethyst crystals can be buried beneath a bowl of rice and left untouched for a day. It is believed that rice can pull negative or unwanted energy away from the crystals, neutralizing them. Once the process is complete, the crystal should be retrieved and the rice disposed of.

How To Cleanse Amethyst Using Salt?

Salt can be used exactly in the same manner as rice. For those who fear that saltwater might cause damage to their crystals, this method can prove helpful as it does not require the addition of water to the salt.

The crystal can be buried in a bowl of salt and left for a duration not exceeding 4 hours. To make the method more effective, the bowl can be left in sunlight so that the crystal is re-energized.

After the completion of this procedure, the crystal should be retrieved, washed with clean, filtered water, and dried with a towel.

Using the no-contact salt method

If burying the crystal in a bowl of salt directly does not look like a good plan, one can try using the no-contact salt method to ensure that no damage is caused to the crystal.

a) Using a bag: A small bag can be filled with salt and placed over the crystal so that it is completely covered. This process can be continued for as long as one wants as no damage can be caused to the crystal, no matter the duration.

b) Using bowls: Another similar way to carry on the no-contact salt method is to use 2 bowls, a large one and a relatively smaller one. The larger bowl should be filled with salt, and the Amethyst crystal should be placed inside the small bowl. The small bowl should then be placed inside the large, salt-filled bowl, such that the salt fills the brim of the small bowl from the outside. But no salt should be allowed to enter the small bowl containing the crystal.

Read more: How to Cleanse Crystals with Incense?

How To Cleanse Amethyst Using Visualization?

Visualization is another effective method of cleansing Amethyst crystals. It requires us to firmly hold the crystal in our dominant hand and channel our thoughts to concentrate on a bright white light falling on the stone, filling it with positivity and driving negative energy away. This method does not require any other materials and is easy and convenient to follow.

How To Cleanse Amethyst Using Energy Programming?

Similar to visualization, this method uses one’s mind to project positive energy into the crystal. To do so, one should hold the amethyst crystal firmly in one hand, and hold the other hand above it.

Energy programming requires imagining that the negative energy emitted from the crystal is being pulled down by the hand holding it. This negative energy flows through the body and should be processed. From the other hand held above the crystal, one must focus on emitting light, showering positivity, love, and the ability to spread calmness onto the crystal. Energy programming is an effective method, as it establishes a bond between the crystal and its owner.

What happens to the negative energy flowing through the body?

It is circulated in the individual’s energetic system and gets processed by the body. One need not fear it affecting the body. You can only allow an amount of negative energy to flow through your body that you can handle. But if you feel concerned, you can give yourself a grounding cord that connects your body to the center of the Earth. Imagine that any negative energy that you cannot process is flowing through the cord into the depths of the planet, and is being transformed back to universal energy in the process.

How To Cleanse Amethyst Using Smoke?

Smoke has been used since ancient times as a method of purifying crystals energetically. This tradition was initially used by Native Americans and is widely used today as a way of driving negative energy away, creating balance, and harmony. This method is quite powerful and requires a few materials that represent the 4 elements of nature: water, air, fire, and earth:

A shell from the ocean, representing water; The herbs, wood, or resin (known as smudge) to be burnt, representing Earth; Lighting the smudge, representing fire; The smoke arising from the burnt smudge sticks, as well as the feathers used to spread this smoke, representing air.

The smudge sticks or bundles are to be kept inside the shell and burnt. The smoke arising from it should be spread with a feather such that all parts of the crystal come in contact with it. This process should go on till the smoke stops.

Sage and lavender are good options for purifying Amethyst. While sage drives negative energy away, lavender boosts the calming ability of the crystal.

How To Cleanse Amethyst Using Negative Ions?

If the owner worries that the crystal is overcharged with positive ions, negative ions can be used to neutralize the effect.

Where to find negative ions?

Negative ions are present near water bodies like rivers, streams, or the ocean. Smoke from sage smudge as well as storms releases negative ions. Electronic devices too contain negative ions and can be used to charge the crystals.

How To Cleanse Amethyst Using Burying Inside the Earth?

Amethyst crystals can be buried inside the ground and left for some time so that the Earth absorbs any negative energy it might harness.

How To Cleanse Amethyst Using Crystals?

Other crystals can be used to charge Amethyst. The amethyst crystal can be placed over another crystal and left for as long as one desires. Clear Quartz is a good choice when it comes to purifying Amethyst.

How to Cleanse Amethyst Geode?

A geode is a hollow rock that contains minerals and may sometimes contain crystals. It is somewhat spherical in appearance, although it does not resemble a perfect sphere.

An Amethyst geode is a hollow cavity consisting of Amethyst crystals inside it. Amethyst geodes can be cleansed in the following ways.

a) Routine Cleaning

1) Using Detergent and water

It is a typical method used to clean almost every other common household material. One needs to be careful that a mild detergent and warm water are being used. The geode should at first be washed with water. Detergent should be applied to it and the geode should then be scrubbed gently with the help of a brush. It should then be washed with water to remove detergent. Cleaning the geode one time will not be sufficient to wash away all the dirt. This process should be repeated until desired results are achieved.

2) Using bleach

The geode can be left in a solution of water and bleach for 24 hours. The solution can contain a quarter cup of any household bleach in a tub of water. This will pull out maximum dirt from it. Once the duration is over, the geode should be carefully taken out of the water. While doing so, wearing gloves is a must as the bleach can potentially damage the skin. The remaining dirt can then be manually cleaned.

3) Using a toothbrush and denture cleaner

After the geode has been soaked, the remaining dirt and debris can be washed off with the help of a toothbrush and a denture cleaner. Denture cleaner can be applied to the geode and gently scrubbed with the help of a soft-bristle toothbrush. Dirt that did not get washed off in the first round will easily come off after being soaked in bleaching powder solution.

4) Cleaning the crevices

Since a geode contains numerous cracks and crevices, it requires detailed cleaning. Every crevice should be properly cleaned so that no dirt is left inside it.

b) Removing Iron

1.  If the geode contains iron residue, it should be properly rinsed and soaked in wood bleach. First step is to rinse the geode thoroughly with water so that the dirt is washed off.
2.  Wood bleach is harmful to the skin and eyes. Gloves and goggles should be worn and safety measures taken before progressing further.
3.  Depending on the quality of the bleach the appropriate amount is to be mixed with water to prepare a solution. Ideally, it is in the proportion of 8 cups of bleach to 5 liters of water.
4.  The geode should then be soaked in the solution. It should be completely submerged and left untouched for 3 to 4 hours.
5.  The geode should be frequently checked and brought out of the solution as soon as the iron residue wears off. Letting the geode remain inside the solution for too long might cause damage to it.
6. The use of gloves is extremely important while taking it out of the solution. Once it is brought out of the solution, the geode should be properly washed with warm water.

c) Polishing

Once the geode is properly washed and cleaned, it can be polished.

1. Slightly moistened sandpaper can be used to make the rough patches smooth. However, it should be kept in mind that using too much force will cause damage to the geode. It should be polished gently and with care.
2. Safety goggles should be worn so that no harm is caused to the eyes while polishing the geode.
3. The geode can be polished with a heavy fabric such as denim. It should be rubbed gently until it is shiny.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) How often should I purify Amethyst crystals?

Amethyst crystals can be purified:

a) When it first arrives: As the crystals travel long distances before finally meeting their owner, they carry negative energy with them. It is important that the crystals are purified before being used so that any negative energy contained by them is neutralized.

b) On the basis of frequency of use:

1. If worn by the owner/ used frequently: They can be purified within roughly a month’s duration.
2. If left at home/ not used frequently: purifying them seasonally is sufficient.

c) Before using it in any event: If the crystal is being used in any religious event or ritual, it is always better to energetically cleanse it once to make sure it does not contain any negative energy.

d) Whenever one needs: Healing crystals can be cleansed as and when one desires. If you think that your crystals might need purification, do not hesitate to cleanse them.

2) How do I make sure my Amethyst crystal is properly cleansed?

There are no ways to be absolutely certain. The best method is to follow your instinct and stop the cleansing process when you are satisfied.

3) How do I clean my Amethyst crystal?

The safest way to clean your Amethyst crystal is to wash it with warm soapy water. Steam should not be used as heat might damage your crystal.