Crystal Safety · Crystal Cassandra
Sortable, filterable safety database for every crystal in the CrystalStones.com catalog, water, sun, salt, toxicity, Mohs hardness, and cleansing methods, all in one place.
Free · Sortable reference · Grounded in classical sources
By Crystal Cassandra · Updated 2026-08-03
Crystal Healing Expert
Quick Answer
Some crystals are water-soluble, Selenite, Calcite, and Halite dissolve over time. Some fade in sunlight, Amethyst, Rose Quartz, natural Citrine. Some leach toxins in water, Malachite, Pyrite, Azurite. Below is the sortable safety reference for all 109 stones in our catalog.
[IMAGE PROMPT, crystal-safety-hero] 1456×816 landscape
“A beautifully arranged composition of crystal categories, water-safe stones (Quartz, Tiger's Eye, Carnelian) on one side, water-sensitive stones (Selenite, Calcite, Lapis Lazuli) on the other, with subtle sun rays and water drops as visual category markers. Deep violet (#4B0082) accents and gold (#D4AF37) labels on cream paper (#FCFAF5). Botanical-illustration aesthetic, hand-drawn, soft shading. Landscape 1456×816px.”
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Tap any column header to sort. Use the filter chips to narrow by water-safe, sun-safe, jewelry-safe, or non-toxic. Tap a crystal name to read its full guide on the crystal encyclopedia.
| Cleansing | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abalone Shell | 3.5soft organic nacre, scratches and chips easily | , | moonlightsagesound | ||||
| Adamite | 3.5very soft, easily scratched | Yes | sagesoundmoonlightselenite | ||||
| Aegirine | 6moderate hardness, avoid sharp impact | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Ajoite | 3.5very soft, easily scratched | Yes | soundmoonlightselenitesage | ||||
| Albite | 6.5moderate hardness, avoid impact | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Alexandrite | 8.5 | , | moonlightwatersagesound | ||||
| Almandine Garnet | 7.5durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightsunlightsage | ||||
| Amazonite | 6 | , | moonlightsageselenitesound | ||||
| Amber | 2.5fossilized resin, soft and warm to touch | , | sagesoundmoonlightselenite | ||||
| Amethyst | 7standard quartz hardness, durable | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Ametrine | 7 | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Ammolite | 4.5thin fossil gem, usually stabilized; fragile | , | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Anatase | 6 | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Andalusite | 7.5durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Angel Aura Quartz | 7quartz core is hard, but the vapor coating is thin | , | moonlightsoundsageselenite | ||||
| Angel Phantom Quartz | 7durable for daily wear | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Angelite | 3.5 | , | sageselenitesoundmoonlight | ||||
| Anhydrite | 3.5very soft, easily scratched | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Apache Tear | 5 | , | moonlightsageearthsound | ||||
| Apatite | 5soft and brittle phosphate, scratches easily | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Apophyllite | 5 | , | moonlightselenitesoundsage | ||||
| Apophyllite Pyramid | 5 | , | moonlightselenitesoundsage | ||||
| Apricot Agate | 7durable agate (quartz) | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Aqua Aura Quartz | 7quartz core is hard, but the gold coating is thin | , | moonlightsoundsageselenite | ||||
| Aquamarine | 7.5 | , | moonlightwaterselenitesound | ||||
| Aragonite | 3.5 | , | earthsagesoundmoonlight | ||||
| Arfvedsonite | 5.5soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Astrophyllite | 3.5very soft, easily scratched | , | sagesoundmoonlightselenite | ||||
| Atlantisite | 3.5very soft, easily scratched | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Aura Quartz | 7quartz core is hard, but the metal coating is thin | , | moonlightsoundsageselenite | ||||
| Auralite | 7amethyst-based quartz, durable | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Avalon Stone | 7quartz-grade hardness, durable; a trade-name banded chalcedony | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Axinite | 6.75moderate hardness, avoid impact | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Azeztulite | 7quartz-grade hardness, durable; a trademarked quartz trade name | , | watermoonlightselenitesound | ||||
| Azurite | 3.5 | Yes | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Azurmalachite | 3.5very soft, easily scratched | Yes | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Baryte | 3.25very soft, easily scratched | , | sagesoundmoonlightselenite | ||||
| Benitoite | 6.5moderate hardness, avoid impact | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Beryl | 7.75durable for daily wear | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Biotite | 2.75very soft mica, cleaves into sheets | , | sagesoundmoonlightselenite | ||||
| Bismuth | 2.5very soft and brittle, lab-grown element | Yes | sagesoundmoonlightselenite | ||||
| Bixbite (Red Beryl) | 7.75durable for daily wear | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Black Agate | 7durable agate (quartz) | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Black Beryl | 7.75hard and durable, like other beryls | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Black Jade | 6tough jade, durable | , | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Black Jasper | 7durable jasper (quartz) | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Black Kyanite | 6 | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Black Obsidian | 5 | , | moonlightsagesoundearth | ||||
| Black Onyx | 7 | , | moonlightsagesaltsound | ||||
| Black Opal | 5.75precious opal, holds water and can craze | , | moonlightsoundsageselenite | ||||
| Black Sapphire | 9very hard corundum, extremely durable | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Black Spinel | 8 | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Black Tourmaline | 7 | , | watersaltsagemoonlight | ||||
| Bloodstone | 7 | , | sunlightwatersageearth | ||||
| Blue Agate | 7durable agate (quartz) | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Blue Apatite | 5soft and brittle phosphate, scratches easily | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Blue Calcite | 3soft and brittle (calcite group) | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Blue Howlite | 3.5very soft, easily scratched | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Blue Jasper | 7durable jasper (quartz) | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Blue John | 4soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Blue Kyanite | 6 | , | moonlightselenitesoundsage | ||||
| Blue Lace Agate | 7 | , | moonlightwatersagesound | ||||
| Blue Moonstone | 6feldspar with flat cleavage, handle with care | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Blue Obsidian | 5.5usually man-made glass, can chip | , | moonlightsoundsageselenite | ||||
| Blue Onyx | 7durable banded chalcedony | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Blue Sapphire | 9 | , | moonlightwatersagesound | ||||
| Blue Tiger's Eye | 7durable quartz (Hawk's Eye) | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Blue Topaz | 8durable for daily wear | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Botswana Agate | 7durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Brecciated Jasper | 7durable jasper (quartz) | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Bronzite | 5.5soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | moonlightsagesoundearth | ||||
| Brookite | 6 | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Brucite | 2.5very soft, easily scratched | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Buddstone | 7chalcedony-grade hardness, durable (true buddstone) | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Bumble Bee Jasper | 5soft, avoid impact and abrasion | Yes | moonlightsagesoundsunlight | ||||
| Cacoxenite | 3.5 | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Carnelian | 7 | , | sunlightwatersagesound | ||||
| Carnelian Agate | 7durable for daily wear | , | watersunlightmoonlightsage | ||||
| Cassiterite | 6.5moderate hardness, avoid impact | , | watersagesoundmoonlight | ||||
| Cavansite | 4 | , | moonlightselenitesoundsage | ||||
| Celestite | 3 | , | moonlightselenitesoundsage | ||||
| Cerussite | 3.25very soft, easily scratched | Yes | soundmoonlightsage | ||||
| Chalcedony | 7durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Chalcedony | 6.75microcrystalline quartz, durable | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Chalcopyrite | 4 | Yes | sagesoundmoonlightselenite | ||||
| Charoite | 5 | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Cherry Quartz | 5.5man-made glass, can chip | , | moonlightsoundsageselenite | ||||
| Chiastolite | 7.25durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Chlorite Phantom Quartz | 7durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightselenitesage | ||||
| Chrome Diopside | 5.75soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Chrysanthemum Stone | 4 | , | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Chrysoberyl | 8.5 | , | sunlightwatersagesound | ||||
| Chrysocolla | 2.5 | Yes | sageselenitesoundmoonlight | ||||
| Chrysoprase | 7 | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Cinnabar | 2.5 | Yes | sound | ||||
| Citrine | 7 | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Clear Calcite | 3soft carbonate, reacts with acids | , | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Clear Quartz | 7one of the hardest common crystals | , | watersunlightmoonlightselenite | ||||
| Cobalto Calcite | 3very soft, easily scratched | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Conichalcite | 4.5soft, avoid impact and abrasion | Yes | soundmoonlightsage | ||||
| Connemara Marble | 3.5soft carbonate marble, scratches easily | , | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Coral | 3.5very soft, easily scratched | , | moonlightsagesound | ||||
| Covellite | 1.75very soft, easily scratched | Yes | soundmoonlightsage | ||||
| Crazy Lace Agate | 7 | , | watersagesoundmoonlight | ||||
| Creedite | 4soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Crocoite | 2.75very soft, easily scratched | Yes | soundmoonlight | ||||
| Cuprite | 3.75soft, store separately | Yes | sagesoundmoonlightselenite | ||||
| Dalmatian Jasper | 7durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Danburite | 7 | , | moonlightselenitesoundsage | ||||
| Datolite | 5.25soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Dendritic Agate | 7 | , | watermoonlightsageearth | ||||
| Diamond | 10 | , | sunlightmoonlightwatersage | ||||
| Diopside | 5.75soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Dioptase | 5 | Yes | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Dolomite | 3.75soft carbonate, scratches easily | , | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Dragon Stone | 6.5moderate hardness, avoid impact | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Dumortierite | 7 | , | moonlightwatersagesound | ||||
| Eilat Stone | 4soft, avoid impact and abrasion | Yes | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Elestial Quartz | 7durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightselenitesage | ||||
| Emerald | 7.5 | , | moonlightsageselenitesound | ||||
| Epidote | 6.5 | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Eudialyte | 5.5moderate hardness, avoid impact | Yes | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Faden Quartz | 7durable quartz, thin tabular pieces can be delicate | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Fire Agate | 7 | , | sunlightsagesoundearth | ||||
| Fire and Ice Quartz | 7heat-crackled quartz, internal fractures make it fragile | , | moonlightsoundsageselenite | ||||
| Fire Opal | 5.75soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Flint | 7durable for daily wear | , | watersagesoundearth | ||||
| Fluorite | 4soft enough to scratch with steel | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Fulgurite | 5soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | soundmoonlightsageselenite | ||||
| Gaia Stone | 5.5man-made glass, chips like glass | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Galena | 2.75very soft, easily scratched | Yes | soundmoonlightsage | ||||
| Garden Quartz | 7durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightselenitesage | ||||
| Garnet | 7 | , | sunlightmoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Garnierite (Green Moonstone) | 3.5very soft, easily scratched | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Gaspeite | 4.75soft nickel carbonate, store separately | Yes | sagesoundmoonlightselenite | ||||
| Gold Sheen Obsidian | 5.5natural volcanic glass, can chip on edges | , | moonlightsoundsageselenite | ||||
| Golden Beryl | 7.75durable for daily wear | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Golden Healer Quartz | 7durable for daily wear | , | watersunlightmoonlightselenite | ||||
| Goldstone | 5.5man-made glass with copper inclusions | , | moonlightsoundsageselenite | ||||
| Goshenite | 7.75durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightselenitesage | ||||
| Grandidierite | 7.5durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Green Agate | 7durable agate (quartz) | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Green Aventurine | 7 | , | moonlightsageseleniteearth | ||||
| Green Calcite | 3soft and brittle (calcite group) | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Green Jade | 6.5 | , | moonlightwatersagesound | ||||
| Green Jasper | 7durable jasper (quartz) | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Green Onyx | 7durable banded chalcedony | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Green Opal | 5.75hydrated common opal, can dry and craze | , | moonlightsoundsageselenite | ||||
| Green Tourmaline | 7.25hard, durable tourmaline | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Grossular Garnet | 7.25durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Hackmanite | 5.75soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Halite | 2.5rock salt, softer than fingernail | , | sagesoundmoonlightselenite | ||||
| Harlequin Quartz | 7iron-included quartz, durable | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Healer's Gold | 6.25moderate hardness, avoid impact | , | sagesoundmoonlightearth | ||||
| Healerite | 3soft serpentine, often with calcite; scratches easily | , | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Heliodor | 7.75durable for daily wear | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Hematite | 6 | , | sageselenitesoundbrown rice | ||||
| Hematoid Quartz | 7iron-included quartz, durable | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Hemimorphite | 5soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Herkimer Diamond | 7.5 | , | watersunlightmoonlightselenite | ||||
| Honey Calcite | 3soft and brittle (calcite group) | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Horn Coral | 4fossil coral, often calcite-replaced and soft | , | moonlightsagesoundearth | ||||
| Howlite | 3.5 | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Howlite Turquoise | 3.5dyed howlite, soft | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Hureaulite | 3.5very soft, easily scratched | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Idocrase | 6.5moderate hardness, avoid impact | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Ilvaite | 6moderate hardness, avoid impact | , | moonlightsagesoundearth | ||||
| Imperial Topaz | 8durable for daily wear | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Inca Jade | 3.75very soft, easily scratched | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Indicolite | 7 | , | moonlightwatersagesound | ||||
| Indigo Gabbro | 6moderate hardness, avoid impact | , | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Infinite Stone | 3.5very soft, easily scratched | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Iolite | 7 | , | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Iolite-Sunstone | 7durable for daily wear | , | watersunlightmoonlightsage | ||||
| Iridescent Hematite | 5.5soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | moonlightsagesoundearth | ||||
| Ivory Stone | 3.5very soft, easily scratched | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Jadeite | 6.75moderate hardness, avoid impact | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Jeremejevite | 6.75moderate hardness, avoid impact | , | watermoonlightselenitesage | ||||
| Jet | 3fossilized wood, soft and lightweight | , | sagesoundmoonlightearth | ||||
| K2 Stone | 6moderate hardness, avoid impact | Yes | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Kambaba Jasper | 7durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Kammererite | 2.25very soft and fragile, handle minimally | , | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Kornerupine | 6.75moderate hardness, avoid impact | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Kunzite | 6.5 | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Labradorite | 6.5 | , | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Landscape Jasper | 7durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Lapis Lazuli | 5.5 | , | moonlightsageselenitesound | ||||
| Larimar | 5 | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Larvikite | 6moderate hardness, avoid impact | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Lavakite | 6.5quartz-rich blend with magnetite; a trade name | , | moonlightsagesoundearth | ||||
| Lazulite | 5.75soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Lazurite | 5.5soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Lemon Jade | 5.5jade or serpentine, fairly durable | , | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Lemurian Aquatine Calcite | 3very soft, easily scratched | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Lemurian Blue Calcite | 3very soft, easily scratched | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Lemurian Quartz | 7 | , | watermoonlightselenitesage | ||||
| Lemurian Seed Quartz | 7durable quartz | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Leopardskin Jasper | 7 | , | sagesoundearthmoonlight | ||||
| Lepidocrocite | 5soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Lepidolite | 2.5 | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Libyan Desert Glass | 6moderate hardness, avoid impact | , | sunlightwatermoonlightsage | ||||
| Linarite | 2.75very soft, easily scratched | Yes | sound | ||||
| Lithium Quartz | 7durable for daily wear | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Lizardite | 2.75very soft, easily scratched | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Lodestone (Magnetite) | 5.75soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | sagesoundearthmoonlight | ||||
| Lodolite | 7durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightselenitesage | ||||
| Lunar Quartz | 7durable for daily wear | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Magnesio-Riebeckite (Crocidolite) | 5.5soft, avoid impact and abrasion | Yes | soundsagemoonlight | ||||
| Magnesite | 4soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Mahogany Obsidian | 5.25soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Malachite | 3.5soft enough to scratch, store separately | Yes | sageselenitesoundmoonlight | ||||
| Malachite-Azurite | 3.75very soft, easily scratched | Yes | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Malaya Garnet | 7.25durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Mangano Calcite | 3very soft, easily scratched | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Marcasite | 6 | , | sagesoundmoonlightselenite | ||||
| Marialite | 6moderate hardness, avoid impact | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Mariposite | 2.5very soft, easily scratched | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Matrix Opal | 5.75soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Maw Sit Sit | 6.5moderate hardness, avoid impact | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Meerschaum | 2.25very soft, easily scratched | , | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Melanite | 6.75moderate hardness, avoid impact | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Melo Melo Pearl | 3very soft, easily scratched | , | moonlightsagesound | ||||
| Merlinite | 6.5moderate hardness, avoid impact | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Metamorphosis Quartz | 7durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightselenitesage | ||||
| Meteorite | 5iron-nickel metal; rusts if not kept dry | Yes | sagesoundmoonlightselenite | ||||
| Mimetite | 3.75very soft, easily scratched | Yes | sound | ||||
| Moldavite | 5.5 | , | moonlightselenitesoundsage | ||||
| Monazite | 5.25soft, avoid impact and abrasion | Yes | soundmoonlight | ||||
| Mookaite Jasper | 7 | , | watersageearthsound | ||||
| Moonstone | 6 | , | moonlightselenitesoundsage | ||||
| Morganite | 7.5 | , | moonlightwaterselenitesound | ||||
| Moss Agate | 7 | , | waterearthsagesound | ||||
| Moss Opal | 5.75soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Mother of Pearl | 3.5soft organic nacre, acid-sensitive | , | moonlightsagesound | ||||
| Mtorolite | 7chalcedony-grade hardness, durable | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Mystic Topaz | 8topaz is hard, but the surface coating is delicate | , | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Natrolite | 5.25soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Nebula Stone | 6moderate hardness, avoid impact | , | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Nirvana Quartz | 7durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightselenitesage | ||||
| Nuummite | 5.75soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | sagesoundmoonlightearth | ||||
| Ocean Jasper | 7 | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Opal | 5.75soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Opalite | 5.5man-made opalescent glass, can chip | , | moonlightsoundsageselenite | ||||
| Orange Calcite | 3soft and brittle (calcite group) | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Orbicular Jasper | 7durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Ouro Verde Quartz | 7irradiated and heat-treated quartz, durable | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Padparadscha Sapphire | 9very hard corundum, extremely durable | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Papagoite | 5.5soft, avoid impact and abrasion | Yes | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Pargasite | 5.75soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Peacock Ore | 3 | Yes | sagesoundmoonlightselenite | ||||
| Peanut Wood | 7durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Pentagonite | 4soft, delicate sprays that break easily | , | moonlightsoundsageselenite | ||||
| Peridot | 6.5 | , | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Petalite | 6.5 | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Petoskey Stone | 3.5soft calcite-based fossil coral | , | moonlightsagesoundearth | ||||
| Petrified Wood | 7 | , | earthsagesoundmoonlight | ||||
| Phenacite | 7.5 | , | moonlightselenitesoundsage | ||||
| Picture Jasper | 7 | , | watersageearthsound | ||||
| Piemontite | 6.5moderate hardness, avoid impact | , | moonlightsagesoundearth | ||||
| Pietersite | 7durable for daily wear | , | sagesoundmoonlightselenite | ||||
| Pink Halite | 2.5very soft, easily scratched | , | sagesoundmoonlightselenite | ||||
| Pink Howlite | 3.5dyed howlite, soft | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Pink Opal | 5.75hydrated common opal, can dry and craze | , | moonlightsoundsageselenite | ||||
| Pink Tourmaline | 7 | , | moonlightwatersagesound | ||||
| Polychrome Jasper | 7durable jasper (quartz) | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Poppy Jasper | 7durable jasper (quartz) | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Prasiolite | 7durable for daily wear | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Prehnite | 6.5 | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Psilomelane | 5.5soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | sagesoundmoonlightearth | ||||
| Purple Agate | 7durable agate (quartz) | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Purple Sapphire | 9durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightselenitesage | ||||
| Purpurite | 4.25soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Pyrite | 6brittle and prone to fracture | , | sageselenitesoundbrown rice | ||||
| Pyromorphite | 3.75very soft, easily scratched | Yes | sound | ||||
| Quantum Quattro | 4soft, avoid impact and abrasion | Yes | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Rainbow Fluorite | 4soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Rainbow Moonstone | 6feldspar (white labradorite) with flat cleavage | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Rainbow Obsidian | 5.5natural volcanic glass, can chip on edges | , | moonlightsoundsageselenite | ||||
| Realgar | 1.5 | Yes | sound | ||||
| Red Aventurine | 7durable quartz | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Red Calcite | 3soft carbonate, reacts with acids | , | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Red Carnelian | 7durable chalcedony (quartz) | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Red Howlite | 3.5dyed howlite, soft | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Red Jade | 6tough jade, durable | , | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Red Jasper | 7 | , | watersunlightsageearth | ||||
| Red Muscovite Mica | 2.5very soft, easily scratched | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Red Sesame Jasper | 7durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Red Tiger's Eye | 7durable quartz | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Rhodochrosite | 4 | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Rhodolite Garnet | 7.5durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Rhodonite | 6 | , | moonlightsageselenitesound | ||||
| Rhyolite | 6.5moderate hardness, avoid impact | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Rose Quartz | 7standard quartz hardness, durable | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Ruby | 9 | , | sunlightmoonlightwatersage | ||||
| Rutilated Quartz | 7 | , | watermoonlightselenitesage | ||||
| Sanidine | 6feldspar with flat cleavage planes | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Sardonyx | 7durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Scapolite | 6moderate hardness, avoid impact | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Scolecite | 5 | , | moonlightselenitesoundsage | ||||
| Selenite | 2extremely soft, scratches with a fingernail | , | moonlightsagesoundbrown rice | ||||
| Septarian | 3.5very soft, easily scratched | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Seraphinite | 3very soft, easily scratched | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Serpentine | 3.5very soft, easily scratched | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Shiva Lingam | 7durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Shungite | 4 | , | watersunlightsagesound | ||||
| Siderite | 4soft iron carbonate, acid-sensitive | , | sagesoundmoonlightselenite | ||||
| Smithsonite | 4.5 | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Smoky Elestial Quartz | 7durable quartz with etched, layered faces | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Smoky Quartz | 7 | , | moonlightselenitesageearth | ||||
| Snowflake Obsidian | 5.25soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Sodalite | 5.5 | , | moonlightsageselenitesound | ||||
| Spessartine Garnet | 7.25durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Sphalerite | 3.75very soft, easily scratched | Yes | sagesoundmoonlight | ||||
| Spirit Quartz | 7 | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Star Sapphire | 9very hard corundum, extremely durable | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Stibnite | 2 | Yes | sagesoundmoonlightselenite | ||||
| Stilbite | 4 | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Strawberry Quartz | 7durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightselenitesage | ||||
| Sugilite | 6 | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Sunset Sodalite | 5.75sodalite-bearing rock, can be soft and absorbent | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Sunstone | 6.5 | , | sunlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Super Seven | 7 | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Tanzanite | 6.5 | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Tektite | 5.5soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | soundmoonlightsageearth | ||||
| Terahertz | 7man-made silicon, brittle and can chip | , | moonlightsoundsageselenite | ||||
| Tiffany Stone | 4.5fluorite- and opal-bearing mix, moderately soft | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Tiger Iron | 6.5moderate hardness, avoid impact | , | sagesoundmoonlightearth | ||||
| Tiger's Eye | 7quartz family, durable for daily wear | , | sunlightsagesoundearth | ||||
| Topaz | 8 | , | sunlightmoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Tourmalinated Quartz | 7 | , | watermoonlightselenitesage | ||||
| Tree Agate | 7durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Tremolite | 5.5may have a fibrous (asbestiform) habit | Yes | sagesoundmoonlightselenite | ||||
| Tsavorite | 7.25durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Turquenite | 3.5dyed howlite or magnesite, soft | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Turquoise | 6 | , | sagemoonlightselenitesound | ||||
| Turritella Agate | 7durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Unakite | 6.5moderate hardness, avoid impact | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Vanadinite | 3 | Yes | sagesoundmoonlightselenite | ||||
| Variscite | 4.5soft, avoid impact and abrasion | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Vivianite | 1.75extremely soft and flexible, light-sensitive | , | soundsageselenite | ||||
| Vulcanite | 6durable volcanic stone; a trade name | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Watermelon Tourmaline | 7.5durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| White Jade | 6tough jade, durable | , | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| White Quartz | 7durable quartz | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| White Sapphire | 9very hard corundum, extremely durable | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Yellow Agate | 7durable agate (quartz) | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Yellow Aventurine | 7durable quartz | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Yellow Citrine | 7durable quartz | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Yellow Jade | 6tough jade, durable | , | moonlightsagesoundselenite | ||||
| Yellow Jasper | 7durable for daily wear | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Yellow Sapphire | 9very hard corundum, extremely durable | , | moonlightselenitesagesound | ||||
| Zebra Jasper | 6.75moderate hardness, avoid impact | , | watermoonlightsagesound | ||||
| Zincite | 4soft zinc oxide, mostly synthetic; store separately | Yes | sagesoundmoonlightselenite | ||||
| Zoisite | 6.5moderate hardness, avoid impact | , | watermoonlightsagesound |
Hold a stone under running water and notice how it changes. Hard quartz stays cool and slick. But pick up a piece of selenite and run a fingertip across the surface, you'll feel a faint, soapy give. That softness is the first warning: selenite is gypsum (Mohs 2), and water dissolves it. Many people find that out the hard way after rinsing what they assumed was an indestructible crystal.
There are two separate water concerns. The first is water-soluble stones, selenite, halite, and the calcite family, which physically dissolve, etch, or crumble. The second is water-toxic stones, malachite, azurite, chrysocolla, pyrite, which release copper, lead, or sulfide compounds when wet. Both deserve respect; the second category deserves more than respect, it deserves caution around children, pets, and elixir practices.
In her Crystal Bible Vol 1, Judy Hall describes malachite specifically as a stone “to be cleansed by placing on a quartz cluster, not in water.” Robert Simmons and Naisha Ahsian, in The Book of Stones, go further: most copper minerals should never touch direct-contact elixir water. In my practice, the rule I teach is simple, if you can't name the mineralogy, default to dry cleansing (sage, sound, moonlight, selenite plate) until you can.
[IMAGE PROMPT, water-safety]
Two halves: left side shows Selenite slowly dissolving in a glass of water with visible erosion; right side shows polished Clear Quartz under a clean running tap. Deep violet accent, gold labels, botanical-illustration style. Landscape 1456×816.
Set an amethyst on a sunny windowsill and check it in three months. The deep violet will have paled to a watered-down lavender; given a full summer, it can drift toward yellow-brown. Many people find this out only after losing a beloved cluster to UV exposure. According to Judy Hall and the Mineralogical Society of America, the chromophores (color-causing trace ions) in amethyst, rose quartz, natural citrine, kunzite, and fluorite are all sensitive to prolonged ultraviolet light.
The sun-fading list is longer than most beginners expect. Beyond the obvious, amethyst, rose quartz, citrine, it includes aquamarine, kunzite, fluorite, aventurine, sodalite, larimar, blue lace agate, chrysoprase, and turquoise. In The Book of Stones, Simmons and Ahsian note that even brief but repeated direct sun (an hour a day on a windowsill) will accumulate over months to noticeable color loss. Brief charging, twenty minutes of morning sun, once a month, is the upper limit I'll suggest.
Stones that love sun are a different category entirely. Carnelian, tiger's eye, sunstone, and clear quartz handle direct sun beautifully, in fact, many practitioners use sun-charging as the canonical method for these warm, solar-aspected stones. The trick is knowing which is which. The sortable table above flags sun-safe versus sun-unsafe for every crystal in the catalog.
Salt is a beloved cleansing method in folk crystal-healing tradition, bury the stone overnight in dry sea salt and it's said to release whatever it has absorbed. The problem is mechanical and chemical at once: salt is hard (Mohs 2.5 as halite, but it forms abrasive crystals), and dissolved salt water is corrosive. According to Robert Simmons in The Book of Stones, salt cleansing is safe only for the hardest, non-porous stones, clear quartz, smoky quartz, carnelian, tiger's eye, black tourmaline.
Softer stones (Mohs under 6) will scratch and pit. Stones with toxic mineral content (malachite, azurite, pyrite) react with salt to release more of the trace metals, exactly the opposite of what cleansing intends. Plated jewelry, bezel-set stones, and anything with metal findings will tarnish or corrode where salt and humidity meet. In my practice I default to a selenite plate for most cleansing, it's the gentlest, most universal method, and it works overnight without any of the salt-scratching risk.
If you do salt-cleanse, use dry pink Himalayan salt or sea salt (never tap-water salt-baths), and only with stones the table flags as salt-safe. Brush the salt off thoroughly when finished, residual salt in a stone's surface fractures will continue to do micro-damage long after the cleansing.
The classical sources (Judy Hall, Robert Simmons, Naisha Ahsian) all describe the same handful of stones as requiring careful handling: malachite, azurite, chrysocolla, dioptase (copper minerals); vanadinite, galena (lead); stibnite (antimony); cinnabar (mercury sulfide); realgar, orpiment (arsenic sulfides); pyrite, chalcopyrite, marcasite (sulfides that release sulfuric acid when wet). According to Hall's Crystal Bible Vol 1, none of these should ever be used in direct-contact water elixirs.
The safer alternative is the indirect-method elixir, the stone sits inside a small sealed glass jar, which sits inside a larger water container. The water is energized by proximity without ever touching the mineral. In my practice this is the only elixir method I teach, even for non-toxic stones, it's a habit that protects you on the rare occasion you misidentify a specimen.
For day-to-day handling, polished and sealed pieces of these stones are much safer than raw or unpolished specimens. Wash hands after handling. Keep them out of bedrooms where pets sleep. The aesthetic and energetic value of these stones is real, but so is their chemistry, both deserve honoring.
The Mohs scale, developed by Friedrich Mohs in 1812, ranks minerals from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond) by scratch resistance. In gemology, the rule of thumb is simple: Mohs 7 and above is the threshold for daily-wear jewelry. According to the International Gem Society, anything below Mohs 6 will scratch faster than it ages, especially in rings, which take constant micro-abrasion from countertops, keys, and door handles.
The quartz family (Mohs 7), clear quartz, rose quartz, amethyst, citrine, tiger's eye, smoky quartz, carnelian, agate, chalcedony, covers most of the catalog's daily-wear candidates. Sapphire and ruby (Mohs 9) and topaz (Mohs 8) are even harder. Below 7, you're into stones that work beautifully in earrings and pendants (where the impact risk is lower) but should come off before manual work or sleep.
Selenite (Mohs 2), calcite varieties (Mohs 3), malachite (Mohs 3.5), fluorite (Mohs 4), and lapis lazuli (Mohs 5) are display and meditation stones, not daily-wear jewelry, even though they're commonly set in pendants. Bezel settings protect soft stones better than prong settings; metal cap-back pendants protect better than open-back ones. Filter the table by “Jewelry-safe (Mohs ≥7)” to see exactly which stones are built for everyday use.
These are the questions readers ask most often. Each answer is grounded in Judy Hall, Robert Simmons, or standard mineralogical references, paraphrased in Cassandra's voice for the practice.
Briefly, yes. Amethyst is quartz (Mohs 7), durable enough for a quick cool-water rinse. The catch is sunlight, not water, prolonged sun fades amethyst to clear or pale yellow. Many people find that a 30-second running-water rinse, followed by selenite-plate cleansing, gives the gentlest reset.
Amethyst, Rose Quartz, natural Citrine, Smoky Quartz, Aquamarine, Kunzite, Fluorite, Aventurine, Sodalite, Larimar, and Turquoise are the most commonly named sun-fading stones in Judy Hall's Crystal Bible. Brief morning sun is okay for charging; a sunny windowsill for weeks is what does the damage.
Malachite is a copper carbonate (Cu₂CO₃(OH)₂), beautiful, and yes, it contains significant copper. The classical sources are unanimous: never use it as a direct-contact water elixir, never near food or pets, and wash your hands after handling raw or unpolished pieces. Sealed and polished malachite is much safer for everyday wear, but I still keep mine out of the sink.
It depends on the stone. Quartz family (clear, rose, amethyst, citrine, smoky) and the harder stones (Mohs 7+) handle a brief shower just fine. Softer stones (selenite, calcite, malachite, halite, angelite) absolutely do not, they dissolve, deteriorate, or leach. When in doubt, take it off.
The Mohs hardness scale runs 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond) and measures scratch resistance. As a rule of thumb: Mohs 7+ is durable enough for daily-wear jewelry; Mohs 5-7 is for occasional wear; below Mohs 5 is for display, meditation, and altar use only. The whole table on this page is sortable by hardness.
Soft stones (Mohs under 5) chip, scratch, and dull quickly when worn daily. Toxic-content stones (malachite, azurite, chrysocolla, cinnabar, vanadinite, stibnite) are best kept as polished display pieces or set in fully enclosed bezels, never raw against skin where sweat can leach trace elements. The 'Jewelry-safe' filter on the table flags daily-wear candidates.
Selenite is one of the gentlest cleansers, most practitioners (Hall, Melody) use a selenite plate as a passive cleansing platform for tumbled stones overnight. The only constraint is moisture: keep the selenite (and anything resting on it) bone-dry, because selenite dissolves in water.
Most practitioners cleanse after intense work, a heavy meditation, a session helping someone in grief, after the stone has been handled by many people. A monthly moonlight cleanse at the full or new moon is a gentle baseline. Tune to the stone: if it feels heavy, dim, or sticky in the hand, it's asking for a reset.
The indirect method (stone in a sealed glass jar inside a larger water container, never touching) is the only method I teach. Any direct-contact elixir with a copper, lead, antimony, or sulfide stone is genuinely dangerous and should never be ingested. If you're using elixirs for emotional support, consult a qualified herbalist or your physician, these are spiritual practices, not medical treatments.
Traditional crystal-healing sources (Hall, Simmons) historically associate Moonstone, Rose Quartz, Unakite, and Chrysoprase with pregnancy support, but this is symbolic and reflective, not medical. There is no scientific evidence that crystals affect pregnancy outcomes. If you are pregnant, please consult your doctor or midwife about anything that affects your physical care, including jewelry and supplements.
According to the standard practitioner-grade literature on crystal care, every claim on this page is paraphrased from one of the following sources. Where individual stones have specific page citations, they appear in the per-crystal encyclopedia entries.
A free guide from Crystal Cassandra. One page sorts the stones by water, sun and salt safety, so you can classify a stone even if we have never written about it.
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