Using water to cleanse crystal is one of the most popular and easy ways but be careful there are crystals that dissolve or even develop cracks after contact with water. Crystals gemstone's hardness can be measured by using the Mohs Hardness Scale which has a range of 1 – 10, 10 which is the hardest in the scale that is where the diamond holds the throne. Any crystal that is has a 5 or below on the Mohs hardness scale should not be cleansed with water. These crystals dissolve or crack with prolonged contact with water or left in water for an extended amount of time. Below are some crystals with their Mohs Scale.
Crystals of Mohs Scale
1 Talc
2-3 Gypsum, Chrysocolla, Amber, Lepidolite, Pearl, Selenite, Halite (Rock Salt)
3-4 Calcite, Celestite, Cerussite, Coral, Azurite, Malachite, Angelite, Jet stone
4-5 Fluorite, Rhodocrosite, Ammolite, Larimar, Charoite
5-6 Apatite, Apophyllite, Obsidian, Cats Eye, Chrome/Star Diopside, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli, Sodalite, Opal, Rhodonite, Hermetite
6-7 Orthoclase feldspar, Carnelian, Opalite, Peridot, Kyanite, Moonstone, Labradorite, Amazonite, Chrysoprase, Chalcedony, Zircon, Bloodstone, Jade
7-8 Quartz, Tigers Eye, Amethyst, Citrine, Agate, Rose Quartz, Jasper, Citrine, Agate, Garnet, Mookite, Smoky Quartz, Tourmaline, Danburite, Ametrine, Aventurine, Rutile Quartz, Kunzite, Onyx
8-9 Topaz, Goshenite, Morganite, Beryl, Aquamarine, Emerald
9-10 Corundum, Ruby, Sapphire
10 Diamond
A good rule of thumb, stones that end in “ite” are not water-friendly. A good rule of my second thumb, if you are not sure don’t use water to cleanse your crystals.