How to Clean Amethyst

Co-authored by Mark Sandler

Last Updated: February 11, 2023 Approved

Amethyst is a purple form of quartz with geodes of densely packed crystals that point toward the center. Amethyst should be cleaned regularly to prevent dirt and debris from building up on the surface. You can clean your amethyst with soap, water, and a soft bristle toothbrush. Make sure to allow amethyst to air dry and do not expose it to too much heat.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Preparing Your Cleaning Station

1
Place a kitchen towel on a flat surface. To start, set a flat towel down on a flat surface such as a counter. You should place your amethyst here to dry it and also to scrub it after soaking it in the water.^{[1]
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2
Move heavier pieces of amethyst in a towel. Small pieces amethyst can be moved easily by hand. However, if you're washing large pieces of amethyst, wrap them in an old towel and use this as a dolly to transport amethyst from place to place.^{[2]
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- If your pieces of amethyst are very large, it may be easier to wash them outside with a hose. You may not be able to soak large pieces of amethyst.
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3
Prepare a sink or bowl with soapy water. Choose a sink or bowl big enough to submerge your amethyst. Fill it with water to begin the washing process.^{[3]
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- Opt for warm water over hot or cold water. Extreme temperatures can cause amethyst to crack.
- Use a mild dish detergent to clean your amethyst.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Cleaning Your Amethyst

1
Soak or wipe down your amethyst before scrubbing. Small pieces of amethyst can be submerged in soapy water for 15 to 20 minutes. This helps loosen up the dirt, making it easier to scrub off dirt and grime. If your geode is too big to submerge, soak a washcloth in warm water and add a small amount of dish detergent to it. Work up a lather and wipe down the sides of your amethyst with the cloth.^{[4]
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- If your cloth gets dirty while scrubbing, rinse it off and add more soap.
- You are only trying to loosen up the dirt at this point, so don't worry too much if you're not getting everything off the amethyst. Just make sure to get the amethyst as wet as possible before moving on to the scrubbing process.
2
Brush off any remaining gunk and rinse your amethyst. Amethyst should be rubbed down with a toothbrush after soaking. Use the toothbrush to remove any grease or grime stuck to the amethyst. Work the toothbrush into any unusual cracks and crevices in the amethyst, making sure to scrub harder on dirtier areas.^{[5]
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- Rinse the amethyst in a bowl of clear water as you brush it off. This helps remove any dirt or grime you dislodged.
- For a piece of amethyst that's very dirty, this process can take as long as 30 minutes. Have patience and get in a comfortable position as you scrub your amethyst.
- Amethyst jewelery may not require as vigorous scrubbing, as it is likely not as prone to built up dirt. Something like a geode will require more time commitment, while a piece of jewelery may only need a quick wipe down.
3
Rinse your amethyst. Once the amethyst has been soaked or scrubbed, rinse it off completely. Stick to using warm water for the rinsing process. Remember, hot or cold water can damage amethyst.^{[6]
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- Smaller pieces of amethyst can be soaked in clear water or under the sink. Make sure to rinse the amethyst until water runs clear. Left on soap can cause damage to your amethyst.
- Large pieces of amethyst may have to be rinsed with a hose. Make sure to use warm water and do not turn the hose on a high pressure setting. Spray down the amethyst until the water from the hose runs clear.
4
Allow amethyst to air dry. You should never attempt to dry an amethyst manually, especially not with heat. After washing your amethyst, set it aside. Allow it to air dry completely before using it again.^{[7]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Avoiding Common Mistakes

1
Clean jewelry once a week. If you wear amethyst as jewelry, it will require more frequent cleaning. This helps protect you from exposure to germs. Amethyst worn as jewelry can be cleaned once a week.^{[8]
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2
Avoid using too much heat. Amethyst is very sensitive to heat and extreme temperatures in general. Hot water should never be used on amethyst. You should also never dry amethyst with heat treatments, like a hair dryer. Be patient and allow amethyst to dry on its own.^{[9]
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Trustworthy Source
Gemological Institute of America
Nonprofit institute responsible for gemological research and education and setting gemstone buying and selling standards
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3
Opt for natural light when drying your amethyst. Amethyst dries best in natural light. If possible, place amethyst in natural light to dry. You can dry it on your porch or near the window.
4
Store amethyst in an area with a consistent temperature. Amethyst is sensitive to changes in temperature. After washing amethyst, find an area with a consistent temperature to store it.^{[10]
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Trustworthy Source
Gemological Institute of America
Nonprofit institute responsible for gemological research and education and setting gemstone buying and selling standards
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Expert Q&A

Question

Can you clean amethyst with vinegar?

Mark Sandler
Graduate Gemologist, Jeweler, & Appraiser
Mark Sandler is a Graduate of the Gemological Institute of America, and a Jeweler with over 30 years of experience. His family business, Designer Jewels, has been designing handmade jewelry for five generations. Mark is a member of the American Society of Appraisers and the American Gem Society.

Mark Sandler

Graduate Gemologist, Jeweler, & Appraiser

Expert Answer

No, you need to be very gentle when you're cleaning amethyst, and only use very mild soap, water, and a toothbrush. Rinse your amethyst in warm water and dry it with a paper towel. After that, you can use a can of compressed air, like the kind used to clean a computer keyboard, to remove any dirt that's left. However, taking it to a jeweler for a professional cleaning is easier, and they usually don't charge anything.