3 Common Mistakes Beginner Crystal Owners Make (and How to Avoid Them)

Beginning your journey with crystals can be a transformative experience — offering a connection with the universe while also serving as a tool for personal growth and energy management. However, as with any new endeavour, there are mistakes that can happen early on, and unfortunately some of them can damage these precious gifts of Nature.

We highlight three common mistakes that beginners often make when caring for their crystals, along with safe alternatives, so you can ensure your crystals remain undamaged and energetically vibrant.

1. Cleansing Crystals with Water

Water is a natural cleanser and is often the first choice for cleaning various objects. However, not all crystals are suitable for water.

Crystals that are not suitable for water:

• Selenite: Despite its serene beauty, selenite can deteriorate when exposed to moisture — and especially to water — due to its softness and composition.
• Malachite: Known for its striking green colour, malachite becomes toxic when submerged.
• Lapis Lazuli: This beautiful blue stone can lose its lustre and colour when exposed to water, and the moisture can also cause rusting due to its pyrite content.

Alternative cleansing methods:

• Smoke cleansing: Use smoke from sage, Palo Santo, or another incense. Waft the crystal through the smoke; this will cleanse it thoroughly.
• Selenite: Simply place your crystals on or near a selenite plate or wand to draw out negative energy.

2. Placing Crystals in Salt

Salt is another traditional cleanser. However, like water, it can be too harsh for certain minerals.

Crystals that are not suitable for salt:

• Hematite: Known for its grounding qualities, hematite can rust when exposed to salt.
• Pyrite: Often used to attract abundance across all areas of life, pyrite can tarnish and lose its shine in salt.
• Opal: Delicate and iridescent opals can dry out, crack, or lose their colour when salt is used to cleanse them.

Alternative cleansing methods:

• Smoke cleansing: As mentioned above, smoke cleansing is a gentle yet effective way to clear energies.
• Rice: You can place your crystals in a bowl of dry rice overnight. The rice will absorb negative energy. Remember to discard the rice afterwards, as it will no longer be suitable for use in food.

3. Charging Crystals in Direct Sunlight

Sunlight can charge crystals, but its intense rays can cause them to fade or become more brittle.

Crystals that sunlight can damage:

• Amethyst: This purple stone can lose its vivid, intense colour in direct sunlight.
• Rose Quartz: Known for its loving energy, rose quartz can fade in direct sunlight.
• Aventurine: A crystal that brings luck and abundance, aventurine can become pale and more brittle in direct sunlight.

Alternative Charging Methods:

• Moonlight: Charging crystals under the moon — especially during a full moon — is a gentle way to fill them with energy without the risk of sun damage.
• Charging with selenite: Selenite not only has wonderful cleansing qualities, it can also charge your crystals. Just as with cleansing, place your crystals on or near selenite to take care of the charging.

By understanding the unique needs of your crystals, you can avoid these common mistakes and ensure they remain powerful allies on your journey.

Whether you cleanse your crystals with smoke, charge them under the moonlight, or simply want to learn more about their specific care requirements, it's important to approach them with respect.

This kind of approach to these gifts of Nature can deepen your connection with them and enhance their energetic support.