Over my years of advising people on how to work with their gemstones, I’ve found that many of you have similar questions about how to cleanse your gems. Because of how vital cleansing is to keeping your gemstones working their best, I began to collect the questions (and answers) for a blog post. It soon became apparent that I had compiled enough to create a five-part series!
First, for those of you who are new—and not so new—to therapeutic gems, we can’t state this strongly enough: Be sure to cleanse your gems regularly! Cleansed gemstones simply work better and are less likely to break due to the buildup of unwanted energies released by you in the course of their work—a.k.a., “energetic breakage.” Luckily, cleansing is as easy as it is important.
Each upcoming post will answer your questions about a different cleansing method. Stay tuned for Q&A’s about Plant Rejuvenation, Water Rinse, Sun Bath and Clay Bath.
Part 1: Salt Bed
We consider the Salt Bed the universal cleansing method, since it can be used to cleanse ALL therapeutic gemstones!
What is a salt bed?
A salt bed is simply a layer of dry salt that you rest your gemstones on. It’s that easy. Salt’s absorbent nature draws out the released, unwanted energies that have collected on the gems’ surface. The salt bed is appropriate for all gemstones, which makes it a great go-to if you are not sure which cleansing technique you should use.
What is the best salt to use? Can I use Himalayan salt or sea salt?
The best is plain table salt that does not contain iodine. Although you can use any salt, because we use it for its absorbent nature, it’s best to use the "emptiest" salt available. Salts with a high additional mineral content, like sea salt and Himalayan salt, have less capacity for drawing out energies. Exceptions are Mother of Pearl and Coral (for example, in Angelfire and Dawn Light); because these gems have an affinity with the ocean, sea salt is especially good for cleansing and rejuvenating them.
I can’t find table salt without iodine. Can I use salt with iodine in it?
Yes. Although it’s not preferred, salt with iodine is OK if that is all you can find. A good alternative is kosher salt, which is easy to find and does not contain iodine.
What should I put the salt in, and how much salt should I use?
Any dish or bowl that will hold a layer of salt one-half to two inches deep. I like using a wide ceramic bowl so I have room to cleanse several necklaces at a time.
Can I use the glass jar that my necklace came in?
Our glass jars do not allow for enough surface area of salt to cleanse most gems. But they are great for storing your gems. We suggest using a separate container for the salt bed, so you can put away your gemstones after you’ve cleansed them.
Do I have to bury my gems in the salt?
No. You may lightly press your gems into the salt, but they do not need to be covered by it.
How often should I change the salt?
Every two weeks.
TIP: The discarded salt mixed with baking soda and white vinegar makes a great bathtub scrub!
How often should I cleanse my gems in the salt?
For most gemstones that you are wearing daily, at least two to three times per week. Some gems require more frequent cleansing, so be sure to read the individualized information cards that came with your gems for more details. Because gems work better when they’re cleansed, I find it’s a good habit to cleanse them after each use.
How long should I leave my gemstones in the salt?
At least an hour to overnight. I find it is best to take off my gemstones at the end of the day and place them in the salt. Then I know that by morning they will be cleansed and ready to wear again.
Can I leave my gems in the salt too long?
Yes. Salt is naturally corrosive, so you don’t want to store them in salt for several weeks at a time. They can also get dirty again sitting in salt for long periods. It’s OK if you forget your gems in the salt for a few days, but a good habit is to cleanse them and then immediately wear them again or put them in their containers.
Can I cleanse more than one necklace at a time in the same salt?
Yes! You will want to make sure that each necklace has its own space on the salt—meaning, don’t pile them on top of each other. Make sure all the gems in the necklace are touching the salt. The larger the diameter of the bowl, the more gems you can cleanse at a time.
For softer gems, like Mother of Pearl and Malachite, we recommend placing a barrier between the salt and the gems.
Why is that, and what kind of barrier?
Salt may be a little abrasive for our softer gems. For these, we suggest placing a natural-fiber cloth on top of the salt and then placing your gems on the cloth. You can use cotton, silk, or hemp fabric (a handkerchief works nicely). Other examples of softer gems are Sodalight, Fluorite, Rhodochrosite, Apatite, Indigo, and Lapis Lazuli and the combination necklaces that contain these gems.
TIP: If you find that the salt is messy or sticks to your gems, you can use a natural-fiber barrier for any gem, not just the softer ones I’ve listed.
Know Your Gemstones
Not all gemstones are best cleansed the same way or with the same frequency, so I encourage you to read the individual care and cleansing instructions found on the information card that came with your gems. You can also find this information at Gemisphere.com in the How to Use tab on each gemstone’s dedicated page.
Detailed instructions on each cleansing method can be found here.
Tune in next week to read about Plant Rejuvenation!
Questions? Our Gemstone Advisors are happy to answer them. Call us at 800.727.8877. Happy Cleansing!
