Can Rhodonite Go in Water? (Water Safety & Cleansing Tips)

Why Rhodonite is Water Safe (for Short Periods)

Rhodonite is a moderately hard crystal that is rated as 5.5-6.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale for gemstones.

The Mohs scale rates a crystal’s hardness from 1-10, with ten being the hardest. While there are several factors that can affect water-safety, the general rule is that crystals above five on the Mohs scale are safe for water.

Rhodonite is on the edge of this boundary, but has a hard enough crystalline structure to resist short water cleanses. This makes it a water-safe crystal – at least for short periods.

Why Rhodonite Isn’t Suitable for Long (or Frequent) Water Cleanses

Rhodonite might be water safe according to the Mohs hardness scale, but I don’t recommend leaving it in water for long periods.

This stone has a variable composition that often contains iron, which can rust in water. While a quick wash probably won’t damage it, long exposure to water (such as during an overnight cleanse) could cause rusting and discolouration.

The frequency of water cleansing is also important. Even short water cleanses could cause damage to a rhodonite stone if you perform them too often, so use water sparingly.

Always dry rhodonite with a soft cloth after cleansing it with water, as this reduces the chance of rusting.

Tip: Only use lukewarm or cold water for cleansing a rhodonite crystal. Large temperature changes can cause cracks, so avoid using hot water. You also shouldn’t use a steam cleaner for the same reason.

Can Rhodonite Go in Salt Water?

Rhodonite is water-safe, but it shouldn’t be placed in salt water.

Salt water is more abrasive than fresh water, as salt particles work their way into tiny cracks on the surface of the gemstone. This can cause the crystal to lose its lustre and may even lead to cracks.

If you’re going to cleanse your rhodonite crystal in water, make sure it’s fresh water!

Can Rhodonite Go in Moon Water?

Moon water has been charged with moonlight, making it a wonderful tool for cleansing crystals.

As with fresh water, a quick cleanse using moon water won’t damage your rhodonite crystal. You shouldn’t leave the crystal in moon water for long periods, however, as this can cause rusting.

Can Rhodonite Be Used for Making Crystal Elixirs?

The short answer is that no, rhodonite shouldn’t be used for making crystal elixirs. While drinking crystal infused water is thought to provide many healing benefits, only certain mineral crystals are suitable.

As I mentioned earlier, rhodonite gemstones can contain a variety of elements. These include:

• Magnesium
• Iron
• Calcium
• Manganese
• Silicon

As some of these elements may be dangerous, you shouldn’t drink rhodonite infused water. Instead, place rhodonite crystals around your home to benefit from its healing properties.

How to Cleanse Rhodonite with Water

All crystals need to be cleansed to remove negative energy that’s been absorbed from their surroundings.

Running water is one of the most popular cleansing methods, and it’s generally safe for rhodonite. I prefer to use a short burst of natural water, such as a stream, but water from a tap can also be effective.

As discussed earlier, it’s important not to leave rhodonite in water for more than a few minutes. Dry it thoroughly afterwards to minimise the chance of rust.

Other Methods for Cleansing Selenite

While rhodonite is considered to be water-safe, I often prefer to use other cleansing methods to protect the iron component from rusting.

Some examples include:

• Smudging. You can cleanse a crystal by holding it in the smoke of smudging sticks, dried herbs, or incense sticks.
• Larger Crystals. Small rhodonite crystals can be cleansed by placing them inside a large amethyst cluster or onto a selenite plate.
• Moonlight. The gentle light of the full moon is one of my favourite methods for cleansing rhodonite. Just make sure it’s covered if there is a chance of rain or dew.
• Sound. You can use the sound of crystal singing bowls, tuning forks, chanting, or any other instrument to cleanse a rhodonite crystal. Hold your focus on the intention of cleansing throughout the process.
• Visualisation. If you don’t have access to any of the other cleansing methods, you can use visualisation to cleanse a rhodonite crystal. Visualise white light encasing your crystal as you meditate, while focusing on your intention to cleanse.

To learn more about these cleansing methods and how to remove unwanted energy from your mineral collection, read my guide to cleansing healing crystals.

Can You Clean Rhodonite?

If your rhodonite crystal is covered in dirt, fingerprints, or dust, you can gently clean it with warm soapy water.

As with cleansing, avoid hot water, keep the cleaning session short, and use a soft cloth to thoroughly dry the crystal.

Tip: Avoid dusting a rhodonite crystal. Dust can contain small particles of quartz, which is harder than rhodonite and may cause small scratches.

Summary

Rhodonite is a moderately hard gemstone with a 5.5-6.5 rating on the Mohs hardness scale. It won’t dissolve in water and is safe for quick water cleanses.

This crystal often contains iron, however, which rusts when exposed to water for long periods. For this reason, I only recommend short water cleanses – and I prefer to use dry methods when possible. Dry the rhodonite crystal immediately and avoid leaving it in water for long periods.

You shouldn’t use rhodonite for making crystal elixirs. Some of the elements that form rhodonite could be dangerous, so it’s important that they aren’t allowed to leak into drinking water.

Do you have any questions about whether rhodonite can go in water? Please let me know in the comments section below. You may also want to read my guides to citrine in water and amethyst in water.