Amethyst is a popular purple gemstone and the modern birthstone for those born in February.
It is a gemstone known to man for more than 2000 years and is one of the more affordable gems known to man. Its affordability comes from the fact that enormous deposits of amethyst occur in Africa and South America.
A question that often arises is: can amethyst crystals go in water?
The short answer to this question is yes.
Read on to learn everything you should know about amethyst and water, and for a guideline for how to protect this beautiful purple gemstone from water damage.
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Can Amethyst Go In Water?
As explained before, amethyst can go in water.
People ask this question often, and especially so depending on what they’re planning to do with the gemstone.
Generally speaking, amethyst is considered a water-safe gemstone because of its 7 rating on the Mohs Hardness Scale. This scale is a chart used for measuring how resistant a gemstone or mineral is to water damage as well as general wear and tear.
The higher the number on the scale, with 10 being the highest (diamond), the harder the stone.
The scale was developed by a German geologist named Friedrich Mohs in the 1800s and remains the authority even today.
Why Some Crystals Can’t Go In Water
There are many reasons for why some crystals can go in water, and others not.
When a crystal or gemstone is soft and/or porous, leaving it to sit in water will cause it to dissolve and break. While a quick immersion in water might not cause much damage to most, leaving some crystals sitting in water for extended periods of time could destroy the shape and even the shine and colouring of a stone.
Again, the definitive authority is the Mohs Hardness Scale.
If your crystal is rated very soft, meaning in the range of 1 to 5, the recommendation is that it should not be left to sit in water or any other liquid for long.
Important to remember, however, is that a rating of 6 or higher doesn’t automatically mean that immersion in water for extended periods of time is safe for your crystal.
When working with metallic stones, for example, water can cause rust and ultimately, disintegration. Also, since some crystals contain copper, immersing those crystals in water can create fumes that are harmful and toxic.
Does Amethyst Lose Its Colour In Water?
The royal purple colour of amethyst is by far its most attractive feature.
Ironically, this beautiful colour is caused by the presence of iron and aluminium impurities.
The good news is that amethyst does not lose its colour when immersed in water. It is important, however, to be aware that amethyst can lose its colour under certain extreme conditions, with the most likely culprit of these being heat.
When left to sit in direct or extreme sunlight for prolonged periods of time, amethyst will fade and lose its beautiful colour over time. This is the result of the particle physics of the crystal.
In addition to protecting amethyst from sunlight, exposing it to extreme heat conditions will also lead to discolouration. An everyday example of what to avoid is steam cleaning. This creates a sudden temperature change which can even create fractures in the stone.
Can You Wear Amethyst In The Shower?
Yes, amethyst can be worn in the shower.
Important to keep in mind, however, is that the crystal should not be exposed to hard or exfoliating soap. Only gentle soap is recommended in terms of exposure in the shower or bath.
In fact, many people enjoy showering with amethyst as the running water helps to clear the energy of the stone. The water also acts by amplifying the frequencies of the crystal, which in turn forms a protective grid around the wearer.
Can Amethyst Go In Salt Water?
Quick immersion in salt water will not cause any damage or discolouration to amethyst. However, this crystal should not be left sitting in saltwater for extended periods of time.
This is because saltwater has corrosive properties. Since salt will work its way into the microscopically small cracks in the crystal, it will over time cause a change in physical appearance.
Can Amethyst Be In The Rain?
Yes, rainwater is safe for amethyst. In fact, some folks have reported that leaving your amethyst out in the rain is a great way to clean the crystal in a natural manner.
Storms are known to produce negatively charged ions, also often referred to as the rain that falls during the calm before a big downpour.
If you’re nervous about leaving our crystal out in the rain, consider filling a bowl with rainwater for cleansing the amethyst instead. This offers a more controlled environment.
Can Amethyst Go In Hot Water?
While hot water won’t cause any damage to your amethyst in the short run, warm water remains best for cleaning.
The trick with warm water, however, is to ensure that your crystal isn’t too cold before being immersed in the water. Sudden temperature changes aren’t good for structure or colouring.
Even though amethyst is classed as a fairly tough crystal, sudden changes in temperature remain risky.
How To Protect Amethyst From Water Damage
In summary then, while water is generally amethyst-friendly, the crystal should not be exposed to harsh conditions.
In addition to all the water-specific guidelines mentioned above, we’ve put together an explanation of how to safely cleanse your crystal without exposing it to typical water damage:
First, place a soft kitchen towel on a flat surface.
When working with large pieces of amethyst, use this towel as a dolly for transporting them from one location to the next. This will help protect the crystal.
Prepare a bowl with soft-soapy water. Choose warm water over hot or chilly water. Use only mild detergents for cleaning the crystal.
Do not submerge amethyst in water for longer than 20 minutes. When cleaning with soap, make a lather and wipe your amethyst with a soft and clean cloth.
When it comes to rinsing off, stick to clean warm water.
Finally, allow the crystal to air dry naturally.
Chermaine’s journey into the world of gemstones and crystals began as a child, collecting shimmering stones on family vacations. Today, she’s a certified gemologist and spiritual healer, intertwining the physical beauty of jewels with their metaphysical properties.
Chermaine has traveled to mines in Africa, marketplaces in India, and spiritual retreats in Bali, always seeking to deepen her understanding.