Selenite is a stunning mineral that can be found all over the world. It is often described as gentle and white by those who see it. Selenite has several uses, from meditation aid to decorative stone. Many people wonder if selenite will break down if exposed to water. How do I care for my selenite crystals? In this blog post we will walk you through everything that you need to know about Selenite and if it can get wet.
What Is Selenite?
Selenite is a crystalline variety of the mineral gypsum that goes by several other names, including satin spar, desert rose, and gypsum flower.
Fertilizer, plaster, chalk, and drywall can be made with the soft sulfate mineral gypsum.
When compared to other minerals, selenite in any form is incredibly delicate. Like amber, pearl, and rock salt, selenite has a hardness of 2 on the Mohs scale. Selenite is one of the softest minerals available. Your fingernails, for example, are more robust than selenite.
In comparison, jade is a 7, quartz an 8, and diamond a 10.
Gypsum, like other salts, dissolves in water. Just think about what happens when you put chalk in water, and then keep in mind that selenite is slightly harder.
Can Selenite Get wet?
Selenite should not get wet. It should be stored dry and cleaned without water because its chemical structure is delicate and dissolves in liquid.
A selenite crystal may shrink in size after only a few hours of being submerged in water. This is something that many people who have invested in aesthetically pleasing selenite towers and wands have learned the hard way.
Though keeping selenite crystals out of moisture whenever possible is advisable, a quick rinse under running water shouldn’t hurt them. Crystals can lose their shine after being submerged in water for even a short period.
Why Does Selenite Dissolve In Water?
Selenite is so soft that it dissolves in water. The Mohs scale, from 1 to 10, is used to quantify the relative hardness of various minerals. A hardness of ten (diamond) is the highest possible, while anything below six (unsafe for water) is deemed unacceptable. This is a general rule for the vast majority of crystals out there.
On the Mohs scale, Selenite registers as a 2. This indicates that the crystal will dissolve in water.
Because it has two water molecules in its chemical composition, gypsum dissolves more easily in liquid.
What Happens If Selenite Comes In Contact With Water?
If your selenite happens to come in contact with water, your selenite crystal and the exterior will start to dissolve.
But if your stone has a finish or sealant, it may take some time for the water to wear its way through the sealant through microscopic fissures. So. you shouldn’t expect this process to begin in a matter of seconds. Water will seep into any crevices in your crystal, which could be enough to break it apart.
Sometimes individuals will soak a piece of selenite and then think it’s the same when they take it out. When others remove theirs, they also see that the polish or finish has been completely stripped away.
Others, however, succeed in bringing the stone to the surface, only to discover that it has shrunk considerably or perhaps been fragmented beyond recognition.
How To Take Care Of Selenite?
Now that we know that Selenite should never be submerged in water, you might be wondering how can I take care of my selenite? In this section we will walk you through how.
Avoid the Use of Water and Soap When Cleaning Selenite.
There’s been some back-and-forth about whether or not soap and water are sufficient for cleaning Selenite, but neither side seems willing to give an inch. But most metaphysical purists agree that this approach will cause your stone to lose its natural energy. Use natural light from the sun or moon to get the most out of your item. If you live in a high-rise building or have limited access to natural light, you can still perform this necessary step by leaving your Selenite piece outside for 9 hours every other day.
The Selenite Your Own Should Not Be Exposed To Sunlight.
This stone is not one of those that may be charged by direct exposure to sunlight, as is the case with most other stones. Selenite’s electrical charge responds TO sunlight rather than absorbing it, making it unique among metaphysical stones. That’s why it’s not a good idea to leave your Selenite item in a window or anywhere else where it will be subjected to direct sunlight for a prolonged period. Instead, display your works in a well-lit area. The indirect sunlight provided by fluorescent lights indoors is ideal for this purpose.
Keep away from sudden temperature swings.
Like most other stones, Selenite thrives in natural settings with slow and gradual alteration. Because of the potential damage, you shouldn’t wash your pieces in hot water or leave them outside in sub-freezing temperatures.