A complete guide to cleansing your gemstone jewellery

Have you ever felt like your gemstone jewellery has lost its sparkle or energy?

Over time, gemstones absorb energy from their surroundings, which can make them feel heavy, dull, or out of balance. Regular cleansing helps clear away this buildup, restoring their natural energy and vibrancy.

In this guide, you’ll learn the best methods to cleanse gemstone jewellery—whether it’s strung on elastic, set in metal, or made with fade-resistant, gold-plated copper. 

Effective methods for cleansing your gemstone jewellery

Cleansing your gemstone jewellery regularly helps maintain its energy and enhance its positive effects. There are various methods to choose from, each with unique benefits. Here are some of the most effective ways to cleanse your jewellery, keeping your stones vibrant and recharged.

1. Using clear quartz for cleansing

Clear quartz is a versatile gemstone known for its natural ability to cleanse and recharge other gemstones. This method is safe for all types of gemstone jewellery, regardless of whether it's elastic, metal, or gold-plated copper.

How to do it:

• Place your jewellery near or on a bed of clear quartz chips for 6-12 hours.
• You can also form a small circle of clear quartz stones around your jewellery to enhance the cleansing effect.

Why it works:
Clear quartz amplifies positive energy and clears negativity from other gemstones, acting as a natural energy reset.

How often to do it:
Use this method as needed, especially when you sense your jewellery needs a thorough cleanse. Once every few weeks is typically enough.

2. Smudging with sage or palo santo

Smudging with sage or palo santo is one of the oldest and most widely used methods for cleansing gemstones. The smoke helps clear negative energy and refresh the stones.

How to do it:

• Light a sage or palo santo stick and pass your jewellery through the smoke for about 30 seconds to a minute.
• Be sure to hold your jewellery safely away from the flame. It’s the smoke, not the heat, that cleanses the energy of the stones.
• You can also use incense or other herbs like lavender.

Why it works:
The smoke from sage or palo santo has a cleansing and purifying effect, helping to clear away negativity and reset the stones’ energy.

How often to do it:
Smudging can be done regularly, depending on how much energy your jewellery absorbs. It’s especially useful when you feel your stones are weighed down by stress or if you’ve been in a negative environment. Generally, once every two weeks is a good routine.

3. Sound cleansing with singing bowls or bells

Sound is an effective way to break up stagnant energy in gemstones. The vibrations from a singing bowl or bell resonate with the stones, helping to reset their energy.

How to do it:

• Hold your jewellery near a singing bowl or bell and allow the vibrations to clear the energy for 1-2 minutes.
• You don’t need to be an expert in sound healing to use this method—simply being near the source of sound is enough to cleanse your jewellery.

Why it works:
The sound vibrations help reset the stones’ natural energy, breaking up any blockages and leaving the stones feeling refreshed.

How often to do it:
Sound cleansing can be done as often as needed. If your jewellery has been exposed to intense emotions or environments, it’s a good idea to cleanse it. Once every month is a good starting point.

4. Burying your jewellery in the earth

Burying your jewellery in the earth helps recharge the gemstones with grounding energy. This method works particularly well for stones that benefit from being re-energized by the Earth, like black tourmaline or hematite.

How to do it:

• Place your jewellery in a small container and bury it in the soil for 12-24 hours.
• You can do this in your garden or even in a potted plant.
• Be cautious with sensitive stones and check whether they are safe to be buried in the soil.

Why it works:
The Earth’s energy naturally absorbs negativity and helps recharge your jewellery with fresh, grounding energy.

How often to do it:
Burying your jewellery in the earth can be done when you feel the stones need a deep energy reset. It’s a great method for stones that are meant to ground energy. Once a month is typically enough, but more often if the jewellery has been exposed to heavy emotional experiences.

5. Using brown rice for cleansing

Brown rice is another powerful tool to absorb negative energy. It’s an inexpensive and effective way to cleanse your gemstone jewellery.

How to do it:

• Place your jewellery in a bowl of raw brown rice and leave it there for 12-24 hours.
• Don’t use cooked rice—it needs to be raw to properly absorb the energy.

Why it works:
Brown rice absorbs negative energy, drawing it away from the jewellery and leaving the stones feeling cleared and recharged.

How often to do it:
You can use brown rice once a month, or whenever you feel your jewellery has absorbed too much energy. This is especially useful if your jewellery has been exposed to lots of stress or negative situations.

6. Using selenite sticks for cleansing

Selenite is a powerful stone known for its ability to cleanse and charge other gemstones. It is especially gentle and effective for delicate stones or jewellery that you want to cleanse without physical contact.

How to do it:

• Place your jewellery on or near selenite sticks or slab for 6-12 hours.
• You can also use a selenite wand to gently pass over the jewellery to clear its energy.

Why it works:
Selenite is a self-clearing stone, meaning it doesn't absorb negative energy but instead helps to clear the energy of other stones and reset their natural frequencies.

How often to do it:
This method can be used regularly, especially for jewellery that has been worn daily. Once a month or whenever you feel the need to reset the energy is ideal.

Things to keep in mind when cleansing gemstone jewellery

When it comes to cleansing your gemstone jewellery, it's important to consider the type of jewellery you have. Different materials require different care. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Elastic band jewellery

Elastic bands can stretch or weaken when exposed to moisture, which can lead to breakage. Avoid soaking your jewellery or exposing it to harsh cleaning methods that could damage the elastic.

Best methods for elastic band jewellery:

• Smudging with sage or palo santo
• Sound cleansing with singing bowls or bells
• Using brown rice for energy clearing

Metal settings and gold-plated copper

Metal settings, including gold-plated copper, are more resilient but still require attention. While water exposure is generally safe, saltwater can cause corrosion. It's also a good idea to avoid excessive cleaning methods that could damage the finish or cause tarnishing.

Best methods for metal jewellery:

• Smudging
• Sound cleansing
• Burying jewellery in the earth (for grounding energy)

What to avoid when cleansing your gemstone jewellery

Now that you know the types of jewellery and how to care for them, here’s a list of what to avoid while cleansing your jewellery to ensure its longevity and protect the gemstones.

1. Excessive moisture

Exposing jewellery to too much moisture can damage both gemstones and the setting. Here’s why:

• Elastic bands: Prolonged exposure to water can weaken elastic bands, causing them to stretch or snap.
• Gemstones: Certain stones, like opals or porous gems, absorb moisture and could crack or deteriorate.
• Metals: Saltwater can corrode metals, especially gold-plated copper, leading to tarnishing or other damage.

What to avoid:

• Don’t submerge your jewellery in water for long periods.
• Avoid saltwater—this can corrode metals and damage gemstones.
• Don’t use ultrasonic cleaners, as they may cause gemstones to crack or loosen in their settings.

2. Sunlight

Direct sunlight may seem like a good option for cleansing, but some gemstones can fade when exposed to too much UV light.

What to avoid:

• Avoid leaving your jewellery in direct sunlight for long periods.
• Stones like amethyst, rose quartz, and citrine can lose their colour when exposed to sunlight for too long.

3. Harsh chemicals

Chemical-based cleaners can break down gemstones and metals, causing permanent damage.

What to avoid:

• Never use bleach, ammonia, or other harsh chemicals on your jewellery.
• Avoid commercial jewellery cleaners that aren’t made for the specific materials in your jewellery.

Conclusion

Cleansing your gemstone jewellery is essential for maintaining its positive energy and ensuring it remains in sync with you. Whether you're using clear quartz, smudging with sage, or relying on sound cleansing, these methods help clear out any negativity and refresh your stones. Just avoid saltwater, harsh chemicals, and overexposure to sunlight. Regular cleansing keeps your jewellery vibrant and ready to support your wellbeing whenever you need it.