With its beautiful purple hues, amethyst has long been a treasured gemstone. However, over time amethyst can lose its luster and vibrancy from exposure to dirt, oils, and other impurities. That’s why it’s important to learn how to properly clean this semiprecious stone in order to maintain its magical glow. Fortunately, amethyst is very durable, ranking 7 out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, so it can be cleaned with warm soapy water without damage.
When cleaning amethyst, avoid harsh chemicals like hydrofluoric acid, ammonium fluoride, and alkaline solutions as these can corrode the stone. Also take care to prevent abrupt temperature changes, intense light exposure, and ultrasonic cleaning, which can fracture and fade amethyst over time. For geodes, use a soft paintbrush to gently brush away any debris. The key is to be very gentle when cleaning this crystalline quartz to preserve its integrity and energy.
Cleaning amethyst properly with mild soap and water allows you to remove impurities so its purple radiance can shine through. By taking the right precautions, you can easily clean amethyst at home and enjoy its beauty for many years to come. Follow our guide for tips and techniques to clean your amethyst while avoiding damage to this marvelous multifaceted gem. Your amethyst will sparkle with renewed life when cared for properly.
What is amethyst?
Amethyst, like most other types of quartz gemstones, is a very durable stone. This means that it can be cleaned at home with an appropriate cleaning solution and will not experience any damage to its appearance or structure!
How to clean amethyst
What is the best method for cleaning amethysts? This depends on how dirty your stones are! If they are very, very dirty you may want to try soaking them overnight in a solution of warm water mixed with mild dish soap or jewelry cleaner. Once finished rinsing and drying, your amethyst will look as good as new!
If they are not very dirty you can use a soft cloth and warm water to wipe them down. Make sure the stones aren’t placed directly in contact with water because this could cause damage to their appearance over time.
How to clean amethyst with toothpaste
Is it possible to clean amethyst with toothpaste? No! Amethyst is not a porous stone so using an abrasive substance like toothpaste will cause damage. Toothpaste is designed to be very strong, but is also acidic and can have corrosive properties that may eat away at the surface of your stones over time.
It is possible to clean amethyst with a toothbrush, however. Just use warm water and a soft cloth instead of toothpaste!
How to clean amethyst with baking soda
Can you clean amethyst with baking soda? Yes! Cleaning your stones with a mix of simply water and baking soda is an easy way to restore their shine. Just make sure they are completely dry before placing them back in jewelry or storage because moisture can cause damage, too!
How to clean amethyst with vinegar
Can you clean amethyst with vinegar? Yes! Just like baking soda, cleaning your stones with a mix of water and white distilled vinegar is another easy way to restore their shine. Be sure to dry them completely before putting them back in jewelry or storage because excess moisture can cause damage too.
When using acidic solutions on quartz gemstones it is important to remember that the stones will be more sensitive and vulnerable than usual. Sometimes this is not a big deal, but other times it may cause your stones to appear cloudy or dull over time. This especially applies when you are using vinegar because of its acidity.
Be sure to test any solution on an inconspicuous area before applying it to the whole stone to make sure it does not cause any damage.
How to clean amethyst with lemon juice
Can you clean amethyst with lemon juice? No! Amethyst is a type of quartz and like all other types of quartz, it cannot be cleaned using acidic solutions. Lemon juice contains citric acid which can damage the surface finish on your stones over time if they are exposed to too much moisture or humidity.
It is possible to use non-acidic fruit juices like grapefruit or orange juice to clean your amethysts, but make sure they are completely dry before putting them back in jewelry or storage because excess moisture can cause damage too!
Cleansing and Charging Your Amethyst: A Step-by-Step Guide Cleansing and charging your amethyst is not only about physical cleanliness but also about restoring the crystal’s energetic vibrancy. Here’s an 11-step guide on how to cleanse and charge your amethyst effectively.
- Initial Scrub: Use a soft brush to scrub off any obvious dirt and grime from your piece of amethyst. Remember, amethyst is sensitive to harsh chemicals and abrasives, so avoid these.
- Prepare a Soapy Bath: Fill a bowl with warm water and add a few drops of mild dish detergent. Ensure that the water is not too hot as extreme changes in temperature can harm your amethyst.
- Submerge Your Crystal: Place the amethyst in the water, ensuring it is fully submerged. Leave it to soak for up to an hour. Larger pieces or geodes may require more time.
- Scrub Again: After soaking, scrub your crystal gently again to remove any remaining grime. Use a toothbrush for smaller crevices in geodes.
- Rinse: Rinse your amethyst thoroughly under running water to remove soap residue.
- Dry: Use a soft cloth to pat your amethyst dry.
- Sunlight or Moonlight Charge: Place your amethyst in direct sunlight or moonlight for a few hours. The natural light helps restore your crystal’s energy.
- Keep Near an Open Window: Alternatively, you can place your amethyst near an open window to cleanse and charge. This method doesn’t require direct sunlight and helps to avoid any potential color fading.
- Fire-Safe Container: For an additional energy cleanse, place your crystal in a fire-safe dish, light a sage bundle, and waft the smoke around your amethyst.
- Salt Baths: Salt baths are another way to cleanse your amethyst. Simply fill a bowl with sea salt, bury your amethyst in it, and leave overnight.
- Handling: Finally, handle your amethyst regularly. The human touch imparts positive energy into the stone, boosting its healing properties.
Additional Tips for Cleaning Large Pieces of Amethyst and Geodes Large pieces of amethyst and geodes might need extra care during cleaning. If you’re new to this, don’t worry. Here are some additional tips to get the best results.
- Don’t Fully Submerge Large Pieces: Large pieces of amethyst or amethyst geodes should not be fully submerged in water due to their size and the potential for damage from water trapped in the crevices. Instead, use a damp cloth or soft brush to remove dirt.
- Use of Ultrasonic Cleaners: Ultrasonic cleaners are often used to clean hard gemstones, but they should be avoided for amethyst. The vibrations can cause fractures in the crystal.
- Avoid Rapid Temperature Changes: Rapid temperature changes can cause cracking. Never move your amethyst from a cold environment to hot water.
- Dry Thoroughly: After cleaning, large pieces or geodes should be dried with a towel and then left to air dry in a warm room to ensure all moisture is removed.
Remember, you need to cleanse your amethyst regularly, not only to keep it physically clean but also to clear any negative energy and recharge its healing properties. You can find additional professional cleaning services at local lapidary shops or jewelers.
Remember to always keep your amethyst’s best interest in mind when cleaning. Although it’s a durable crystal, it still needs gentle care to maintain its beauty and energy. Happy cleansing and charging!
How to Clean an Amethyst Geode
Amethyst geodes are stunning natural formations that showcase the beauty of amethyst crystals. As a semiprecious stone that ranks 7 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, amethyst is very durable. However, amethyst geodes still require gentle care and regular cleaning to keep them looking their best. Here is the ultimate guide on how to safely clean an amethyst geode at home.
Supplies You’ll Need
- Small soft brush (a paintbrush works well)
- Mild liquid soap
- Bowl of warm soapy water
- Clean spray bottle filled with spring water
Step-by-Step Cleaning
- Use the small soft brush to gently remove any loose dirt or debris from the geode’s crevices and crystals. Take care not to use anything abrasive that could scratch the amethyst.
- Create a cleaning solution by adding a few drops of mild liquid soap to a bowl of warm water.
- Dip the paintbrush into the soapy solution and use it to gently clean the entire geode, including all amethyst crystals. The soapy water will lift away impurities without damaging the amethyst.
- Once finished, use the spray bottle filled with spring water to rinse away any soapy residue.
- Allow the geode to air dry completely before displaying or storing.
Tips for Keeping Amethyst Geodes Clean
- Display out of direct sunlight to prevent fading
- Wipe with a dry microfiber cloth between cleanings
- Store in a protective box with anti-tarnish strips
- Cleanse monthly to remove accumulated debris and recharge the amethyst’s healing energy
With the proper care, your stunning amethyst geode will sparkle for years to come! Let us know if you have any other tips for cleaning amethyst crystals and geodes.
When should I clean my amethyst?
You should clean your amethyst when it begins to appear dull or cloudy, otherwise, there is no need. You can always refer back to this post if you are unsure about the best method for cleaning them!
Tips for the best way to keep your amethyst looking beautiful and new
- Never soak amethyst in water for long periods.
- If you want to clean them make sure they are completely dry before storing them away again!
- Keep this stone out of contact with chemicals like chlorine bleach, acetone, or alcohol.
- Store your amethyst in a cool, dry place away from sunlight to make sure it doesn’t fade over time!
Conclusions
Amethyst is a beautiful and powerful gemstone with many uses. It can be used for meditation, healing work, and as an alternative to traditional jewelry. However, amethyst also needs to be cleaned regularly to maintain its beauty and effectiveness. Amethyst cleaning should only take about 10 minutes of your time each week or month depending on how often you wear the stone. If you’re not sure how to clean it yourself, we have some great resources that will help make this process easier! We hope these tips are helpful if you decide to try them out – let us know what type of results they produce by commenting below!
My amethyst has turned from a dark purple to a dull blue gray. Yes they were in the sun in front of a window. Is there any way to restore the color?
Amethysts are often treated with heat to improve their colour, so the blue-grey colour is likely the natural colour of your amethyst. Unfortunately, there’s no way to restore the amethyst to its original colour. However, you could try polishing it with a soft cloth to see if that brings out any of the original purple hues.
I have a amethyst cluster that seems to have white film on it. Do you know how I would get the white film off? I have tried mild dish detergent, and pressure washing it.
Hi James.
Amethyst clusters can form a white film on the surface of the stone over time. This film is usually caused by exposure to dust, smoke, or other contaminants in the air. If your amethyst cluster has developed a white film, there are a few things you can do to clean it:
I bartered for a raw piece of amethyst the size of my fist when I was in India. It’s beautiful, but also has a lot of dirt embedded into the stone. I would like to transform it into gem quality. I’ve never been able to get the dirt out. Should I take it to a professional for refinement? Who does that? Or can I do it at home? Thanks so much!
Hi, Claire.
Congratulations on acquiring such a beautiful raw piece of amethyst! Amethyst is a stunning gemstone that is treasured for its violet hues and is often used in jewelry making.
Transforming a raw piece of amethyst into a gem quality stone can be a rewarding process, and there are a few options to consider. If you’re new to lapidary, it’s understandable that you may have trouble getting the dirt out of your amethyst.
One option would be to take your amethyst to a professional lapidary for refinement. Lapidaries are skilled artisans who specialize in cutting, grinding, and polishing gemstones and other materials. They have the tools and expertise to clean and shape your amethyst, and they can also help you to select the best cut and finish for your stone.
Another option would be to try to do it yourself at home. There are a variety of lapidary equipment that can be used to clean, shape and polish your amethyst, such as diamond saws, grinding wheels, and sanding belts, and various polishing compounds. However, it would require some time and effort to learn the proper techniques and safety precautions.