Crystals absorb all energy from the environment, both good and bad for you. They are like batteries that absorb energy from the environment and pass it on. Nobody wants their stones to transmit the wrong energy. That is why we clean them. Cleansing is a great energy detox for stones, which deprives them of accumulated negative vibrations.
Here are three steps to help us get rid of the bad energy in our minerals:
SALT
Salt has been used throughout history to absorb unwanted energy and banish negativity. Burying crystals in a bowl of sea salt or pink Himalayan salt and water, extracts the impurities from the crystals. Make sure that your stone is completely submerged and allow it to soak for a few hours to a few days’ time. Rinse and pat dry when complete.
SAGE
Sage is a sacred plant with a multitude of healing properties. Smudging your stone is said to clear inharmonious vibrations and restore its natural energy. When you’re ready, ignite the tip of the sage with the flame. Transfer the sage to your nondominant hand and firmly grasp your stone and move it through the smoke. If you’re unable to smudge outdoors, make sure you’re near an open window. This will allow the smoke and negative energy to disperse.
VISUALIZATION
The more in tune you are with your sense of self, the easier it may be to redirect your energy to the stone you want to restore. Take a few minutes to ground and center your energy, then pick up your stone and visualize your hands filling with white, radiant light. Envision the impurities flushing out of the stone, allowing the stone to shine brighter with renewed purpose.
Once we know how to rid our minerals of negative vibrations, we move on to how to care for gold and silver so that they are always pure and shiny. Under no circumstances to clean jewelry do not use hard and sharp objects that can scratch it. Intense rubbing and scraping will permanently damage the surface. Use soft flannel or cotton cloths and soft-bristled toothbrushes.
1. Gold
Gold needs cleaning less often than silver. Dirt appears on gold jewelry much more slowly. This does not mean that gold jewelry cannot be cleaned at all. For cleaning gold, you don’t need to have any professional specs or even go out of your house for it. Homemade gold cleaning is very easy, and you will need ingredients that are readily available. Within a few moments our jewelry will be shining like new! Gold products with additional decoration should be cleaned by hand with water and mild detergent, avoiding additional elements.
Dishwashing liquid
The first one is to use a dishwashing liquid available in every household. Prepare a solution which is a mixture of the mentioned detergent, baking soda (about half a teaspoon), and warm water. Soak the gold object in this solution for few minutes. Then, using a soft toothbrush clean the whole surface thoroughly but very gently. Now it is enough to rinse the gold under running water and wipe it off with a cotton cloth. Finally, polish the surface with a piece of flannel to get a shiny finish.
Baking soda
We need 1 tablespoon of water and 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Stir thoroughly until a pap is formed. Next gently rub the pap into the jewelry using a soft cloth and then wash under water and wipe carefully dry. In case of very heavy dirt, we can put a thick layer of baking soda and water on the gold object and leave it for 20 minutes. Then clean the item in the same way as after taking it out of the water with baking soda.
Denatured alcohol
The denatured gold cleaning method will be ideal if your gold jewelry becomes greasy and heavily soiled. Wrap it in a soft cloth soaked in denatured alcohol for at least 15 minutes, then polish with the same cloth. Even stubborn dirt should come off without a trace.
2. White gold
White gold is now almost as popular as yellow gold, and it should be cared for and cleaned with the same care as the yellow kind. In your daily care, the first thing to keep in mind is that white gold is particularly susceptible to mechanical damage. Therefore, it is important to act in such a way as to minimize abrasion of the surface of white gold jewelry. Very important is proper storage of white gold. It is advisable to store it in separate boxes that are lined with soft fabric. So, it is worth asking the question not about how to clean white gold, but what to do to do it as rarely as possible.
3. Silver
The strength of silver and its dazzling luster have made this material a favorite of mankind for thousands of years. However, the metal has one disadvantage – silver darkens quickly when exposed to air. Over time, this layer becomes thicker and more difficult to clean. Removing tarnish with conventional chemical cleaners requires a significant investment of time, effort and money. Therefore, it is worth reaching for home methods of cleaning silver.
Salt and aluminum foil
Cleaning silver in salt is one of the most popular home methods of jewelry care. Prepare a non-metallic bowl and line it with aluminum foil. Put the jewelry you want to clean inside. Prepare a solution consisting of salt and hot water in a glass. Pour this solution into the bowl and let it sit for a few minutes. Pour this solution into the bowl and let it sit for a few minutes. Finally, rinse the silver jewelry under water and wipe it with a soft cloth, preferably microfiber.
Baking soda
Baking soda is one of the easiest ways to treat blackened jewelry. It allows for quick restoration and bleaching of silver. Prepare a solution consisting of 1 teaspoon of soda, 1 teaspoon of vinegar and 1 liter of hot water. Dip the silver chain or other piece of jewelry in the solution and wait 15 minutes. Rinse the jewelry under running water and wipe it with a soft cloth.
Toothpaste
Put a small amount of paste on a toothbrush and gently rub the surface of the silver. In this way, we will get rid of even black deposits. However, this method has a few disadvantages – first of all, scrubbing may lead to scratches on the surface of the cleaned items, secondly – cleaning especially richly decorated silver will be difficult because the paste will not reach all the nooks and crannies. For larger items the whole process may be tedious and lengthy.
5 CARE TIPS
You already know how to clean minerals, gold and silver. In order for your favorite jewelry to last you for many years, you should also know how to care for your jewelry. Here are 5 tips to keep your earrings, chains, bracelets or rings in top condition and maximize their lifespan.
- Cosmetics – Put on skincare products, makeup or perfumes before you put on your jewelry to limit the exposure.
- Care – Use a soft cloth and take care of your jewelry to avoid any contaminants that can negatively affect the condition of your jewelry.
- Shower – Go ahead and take a shower along with your pieces. Clear water is great for washing your jewelry. (Don’t use harsh soaps).
- Storage – Make sure your pieces of jewelry don’t touch any other jewelry when they’re being stored. It can easily scratch if it comes into contact with other pieces of jewelry.
- Value – Appreciate your jewelry! Every day it will show a new aspect of its beauty and yours.