INSIDE: There are many ways to cleanse your crystals before putting them to spiritual or metaphysical use, including placing them in water or cleansing them in the sun or moonlight. However, not all crystals are made to be exposed to the heat and light the sun provides. Let's discover what crystals should not be in the sun...

 

There are thousands of crystals available to provide spiritual and metaphysical healing, though not every crystal can be treated equally in terms of how you cleanse and tend to them to prolong their healing powers.

For example, some crystals work best when cleansing them in water but can be negatively affected in the sun, while other crystals will gain energy from the sun but cannot be placed in water.

The scientific reason behind why some crystals cannot be exposed to the sunshine or to water is due to the chemistry behind their structure. Each crystal is made up of different minerals which create and enhance their appearance and healing properties. 

A Good Rule of Thumb...

To determine what crystals should not be in the sun is to observe the transparency of your crystals. Most crystals that are transparent or semi-transparent should not be exposed to sunlight as they are prone to their colors fading or the crystals cracking with the heat and light exposure.

Just like there are a variety of crystals with numerous healing powers and qualities to them, the amount of time crystals can be exposed to sunlight varies too.

Below is a brief list of what crystals should not be in the sun, but make sure to do your own research on what other crystals can or cannot be exposed to light. Some transparent crystals can only be exposed to sunlight for 5 minutes while others will be safe with exposure up to 30 minutes.

Why Shouldn’t Certain Crystals Be in Sunlight?

There are a variety of reasons why certain crystals shouldn’t be exposed to sunlight. Here are just a few consequences to consider before exposing your semi-transparent crystals to the sunlight.

They Can Fade

The biggest consequence of exposing transparent crystals to the sunlight is the possibility of their colors fading.

One type of crystal that falls to this unfortunate fate is the Quartz family, which puts it on our list of what crystals should not be in the sun. No matter the type of Quartz, when left in the sunshine, their colors will fade to resemble a Clear Quartz crystal instead.

They Can Crack

Most transparent crystals when exposed to sunshine can become brittle and dry. This can lead to them cracking or even breaking in half over time.

They Will Lose Their Water Content

Crystals, such as Opal, contain water molecules within them and are often stored in water to remain hydrated. If you come across an Opal that has been stored in water but would like to keep and display them dry, be sure to have patience and dry them slowly. If left in the sunshine or dried out quickly, the hydrated crystal will become frail and brittle.

They Will Lose Their Cooling Properties

Crystals such as Rose Quartz, Aventurine, and Aquamarine, are known as cooling stones. These specific crystals carry healing properties that can balance out excessive heat in the body from a physical or emotional standpoint.

When cold crystals are exposed to the sunlight, their healing properties, which help mitigate excessive heat, will lose some power. Keep a mental note of these cooling crystals and place them on your list of what crystals should not be in the sun.

What Crystals Should Not Be in the Sun?

Here's our list of crystals to keep out of the sun. But remember, this isn't a complete list so be sure to research other crystals if you are considering placing them in sunlight.

Amethyst

Starting off our list of what crystals should not be in the sun is Amethyst. This crystal is profoundly sought out due to its elegant colors and divinely present healing properties.

Amethyst is a crystal made of silicon, oxygen, and traces of iron, which creates the deep, attractive, purple color it is known for. When exposed to UV light, the beautiful deep purple color will fade to a much duller tone.

Ametrine

Ametrine is a crystal that is composed of both Amethyst and Citrine, which both fade in sunlight. This fade might not be immediate, but Ametrine’s colors will most definitely fade over time.

Citrine

Citrine is a variety of Quartz, which as we mentioned is a family of crystals that should not be in the sun.

This variety of Quartz presents itself as a sunny, yellow color. When left in the sun for longer than 4 hours, Citrine’s yellow coloring will fade and can change to resemble Clear Quartz.

Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz appears in a reddish pink tint which taps into the root chakra, keeping us grounded and present on this earth. But when exposed to direct sunlight, this rose form of Quartz will fade to resemble Clear Quartz as well.

Aquamarine 

Aquamarine comes in a beautiful variety of blue tones. When placing this crystal in direct sunlight, it’s beautiful coloration will fade to white.

Smoky Quartz

Smokey Quartz comes in an array of colors, from yellow-brown tones to a dark brownish-grey tone. When exposed to sunlight, Smoky Quartz can lose its depth of color.

This variety of Quartz crystal is extremely powerful. When storing Smoky Quartz for safe keeping, it is best to keep it in a glass case as the glass protects it against UV light.

Fluorite

Fluorite is made of Calcium Fluoride, which makes it a big reactor to the energy of the sun.

It you must expose your Fluorite to the sun, make sure to keep its exposure to 15 minutes or less. This crystal will heat up very quickly and its beautiful colors will fade in the sunlight.

Opal

Opal is a hydrated amorphous silica stone and is made of about 20% water. It comes in a variety of colors but when exposed to sunlight loses its beautiful translucent coloring.

All Quartz Stones

The Quartz family of stones offer a variety of wonderful healing stones, properties, and colors. Quartz crystals include Rose, Citrine, Smoky, Amethyst and much more. 

Unfortunately due to traces of minerals such as manganese, iron, or titanium, Quartz can not be left in the sun for very long or it will lose its precious color.

Most, if not all Quartz crystals, fall on the list of what crystals should not be in the sun.

Apatite

Apatite is a crystal that comes in a variety of deep, bright tones. When placed in sunlight, its luscious color will fade.

Aventurine

Aventurine is another crystal of the Quartz family that comes in a variety of translucent tones. When left in the sun for long exposures, these colors will fade to a much duller tone. 

Calcite

Calcite comes in a variety of colors including, yellow, orange, pink, and green tones. When left in the sun, these colors can fade.

Calcite can also become brittle in the sun, which can lead to breakage of your stones. Keep it on your nlist of what crystals should not be in the sun.

Hiddenite

Hiddenite is a rare, highly sought after crystal. This crystal is the green form of the mineral, spodumene, and is much rarer than its counterpart and the pink variety of spodumene known as Kunzite. 

Hiddenite comes in a beautiful hint of translucent green. This color will fade if left in the sun for too long. 

Super Seven

Super Seven is a beautiful crystal that is made up of seven sacred crystals. Its gemstone variety creates an amazing combination of purple, pink, brown, and clear colorings, but its color will fade if left in the sun for too long.

Unakite Jasper

Unakite Jasper is a healing crystal of the mind and heart. Its is a combination of green and pink colors in one beautiful stone. These colors can fade over time if exposed to the sun.

Final Thoughts 

This list of crystals is only a fraction of what crystals should not be in the sun. If any of the crystals you have do not fall on this list, we suggest doing your own research to understand which crystals can be cleansed by the sun and which should stay away from UV light.

Fortunately, if your crystals do succumb to the effects of the sun, the fading of their colors and brittle aftermath does not diminish their healing properties and powers. These crystals will still offer many healing attributes, even if your stone fades or breaks in two.