Can Black Tourmaline Go In Water? (Water Safety & Cleansing)

Black tourmaline is one of the most powerful stones for protection. It can block unwanted energy from a variety of sources, including other people’s negative attitudes. This makes it a wonderful stone for empaths or grounding.

Many people wonder if they can cleanse this crystal in water. The simple answer is that tourmaline is safe to cleanse in fresh water for short periods. There are a few caveats though, so make sure you read the rest of this article.

Black Tourmaline Hardness and Why it Can Go in Water (for Short Periods)

Black tourmaline rates at 7-7.5 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. This makes it harder than many other crystals, including Rhodonite and Selenite, but softer than topaz or beryl.

Water is dangerous for crystals rated at 5 or below on the Mohs Hardness Scale, so tourmaline is safe to cleanse in water. It won’t dissolve or crack, as long as you only use cold or lukewarm water.

Hardness isn’t the only consideration when deciding whether a crystal is water-safe though. You also need to think about the chemical composition, and whether any of the crystal’s elements can rust or dissolve.

Black tourmaline has a complex structure that may contain traces of manganese, titanium, iron, and various other components. While none of these elements will dissolve, some may rust during prolonged contact with moisture.

For this reason, I don’t recommend submerging black tourmaline for long periods. Instead, use short bursts of running water to cleanse or clean this crystal, then dry it with a soft cloth. I also only recommend putting black tourmaline in fresh water for cleansing, rather than saltwater.

Benefits of Cleansing Tourmaline With Water

While it’s true that black tourmaline is a high-vibration crystal, it still needs regular cleansing to remove negative energy.

Water is a wonderful tool for cleansing tourmaline, as it can remove unwanted energy and ground it back to earth. This method also reconnects the stone with Mother Earth’s healing properties.

Another benefit is that water can charge tourmaline, which prevents it from becoming dull and lacking energy.

When you use a crystal for healing purposes, its energy is drained and its positive vibrations are restricted. By cleansing and charging a gemstone, you’ll restore its healing properties so that it can be used again.

How to Cleanse Black Tourmaline in Water

Black tourmaline is a protective crystal that absorbs negative energy from its surroundings. It’s important to regularly cleanse it to remove unwanted energies.

Submerging this stone for long periods could cause damage, so here’s a safer cleansing method that still uses water:

1. Find a source of running water. Natural streams or rivers are best, but tap water can also be effective for cleansing. Avoid powerful streams, such as from an electric power shower, as these can cause damage to the crystal’s surface.
2. Hold the black tourmaline stone in the stream for 1-2 minutes. Focus on your intention to cleanse the stone during this time, as this makes the process more effective.
3. Remove the stone from the stream and dry it with a microfiber cloth. As black tourmaline has a ridged structure, make sure to (gently) use the cloth to dry water in the crevices.
4. Leave the tourmaline crystal in a well-ventilated area to finish drying. Don’t place the crystal back in storage until you’re sure that there’s no moisture remaining.

Alternatively, you could use a dry cleansing method. Examples include visualisation, smudging, and moonlight (this works best during the full moon). Click here to learn more about the various ways to cleanse a healing crystal.

Can Black Tourmaline Be Used in a Water Elixir?

Crystal infused water is a popular method for increasing the potency of a stone’s healing properties. Only certain stones are safe for infusing though.

As black tourmaline has a complex chemical structure containing many different elements, I don’t recommend using it to create a crystal elixir. Some of these elements may be unsafe to drink, so it’s important that they don’t dissolve into the infused water.

Can Black Tourmaline Go in Salt Water?

Black tourmaline can withstand salt water for short periods, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to expose it to this type of liquid.

Saltwater has abrasive and corrosive properties, as particles of salt can work their way into tiny cracks in the stone’s surface. Extended or repeated exposure to salt could cause a crystal to fade or split.

So, to prevent damaging your stone, I recommend avoiding saltwater when cleansing a black tourmaline crystal. Fresh water can be just as effective at cleansing without the corrosive properties of salt.

Can Tourmaline Go in Moon Water?

Yes, a black tourmaline stone can go in moon water for short periods, as this is chemically the same as fresh water.

Don’t leave tourmaline in moon water for extended periods though, as this may cause damage and rust.

Can You Clean Tourmaline?

Black tourmaline can be cleaned using warm water and a small amount of soap. Make sure the crystal is completely dry afterwards by using a soft cloth and allowing time for any remaining water to evaporate.

Don’t use hot water when cleansing or cleaning crystals in the tourmaline family. Sudden changes in temperature could cause the crystal to crack.

Tip: Never use a steam cleaner when cleaning crystals. The hot temperature could damage the stone and cause it to split.

Summary

Black tourmaline is a protective crystal that rates 7-7.5 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. This means it’s a relatively hard stone that won’t dissolve if it comes into contact with water for short periods of time.

Long exposure to water can still be damaging though. This crystal has a complex chemical structure containing a range of different elements, including some that are prone to rust.

To prevent damage, I only recommend running tourmaline under cool or lukewarm water for 1-2 minutes when cleansing. Make sure you dry the stone with a soft cloth and allow time for it to fully dry.

Do you have any questions about whether black tourmaline can go in water? Or do you want to learn more about how to remove negative energy from crystals? Let me know in the comments section below.