Water Safe Crystals: Which Stones Can Get Wet and Which Cannot

Rinsing a crystal under running water feels refreshing, but not every stone enjoys it. Hardness, porosity and mineral makeup all affect how a crystal responds to water. A little knowledge keeps your collection looking its best for years.

Generally comfortable with water

Most members of the quartz family are hard and stable: clear quartz, amethyst, rose quartz, smoky quartz, citrine, agate, jasper, carnelian and aventurine. A quick rinse and a soft towel dry is usually fine.

Better kept dry

Soft, porous or metallic stones can scratch, crumble, rust or lose their shine: selenite, malachite, pyrite, hematite, lapis lazuli, turquoise, azurite, celestite and kyanite. Cleanse these with moonlight, sound or a selenite plate instead.

Water Safe Crystals: Which Stones to Keep Dry chart from Infused Lights, an illustrated visual guide — Water Safe Crystals: Which Stones to Keep Dry, a visual guide to save for later

Simple habits

Use cool water, never hot.
Keep soaks short and dry stones right away.
Skip salt water for most stones, since salt can pit and dull surfaces.
If you are unsure, assume dry is best.

Love the idea of crystals and water together? Explore our crystal water bottles, where the stone sits in its own chamber. For more care tips, see How to Cleanse Your Crystals.

An Infused Lights teaching

Checking before water

Practice: Before placing any crystal in water, look it up in this guide or keep it dry, using moonlight or sound instead.

Reflect: Which of your crystals would prefer a dry cleanse?

A stone can hold an intention for you. Browse our crystals and stones, each one chosen with care.

Questions people ask

Can I put amethyst in water?
A quick rinse is usually fine, since amethyst is a hard quartz. Keep soaks short and avoid long sunbathing afterward, as bright sun can fade its color.

Is selenite water safe?
No. Selenite is very soft and can dissolve or lose its sheen in water, so cleanse it with moonlight or sound instead.

How can I tell if a stone is porous?
Softer, matte or chalky stones are often porous. If you are unsure of a stone, keep it dry to be safe.