Jewel HowHave you always wanted to learn how to polish stones and crystals? Just like any other possessions you have, it is important to be familiar with the right ways of looking after your precious crystals and stones. The good news is that while it might take some investment of time and money, polishing stones and crystals is actually an easy and straightforward process that you can start right away. In fact, this is something that you can do right in the comforts of your home. You only need to remember a few steps that are all perfect for beginners.
Prepare Your Stones and Crystals for Polishing
Minerals and tocks are the gift of nature for human beings, plants, and animals. If you own a raw stone, there is a chance that you felt like you want to polish it so that it can fit perfectly and easily in your hands. Don’t worry because you can do exactly just that.
But, before you proceed to the actual polishing process, you need to prepare your stones and crystals first. This way, you can be sure that you will get the best results once you start polishing.
Clean your crystals.
The very first thing you need to do is to research more about your crystals and their specific properties. Afterwards, you can begin cleaning them. If your crystals happen to be toxic in water, make sure you don’t rinse them with water. Be familiar with toxic gemstones first before you begin cleaning.
Remove stains from stones.
It is important to remove all the stains that the stones acquired during transport or use. Vinegar can remove lime carbonates, calcite, and barite. Soak the stones for a maximum of 10 hours. Soak them after in washing aluminum for another 10 hours. If the stains are not removed yet, just repeat the process until there are no more traces of stains.
Smoothen the crystals.
This next step is what stone polishing experts call sanding. This is basically the stage of processing the stone through sand paper or machine to polish its surface.
Clean the crystals and stones for polishing.
After you are done with sanding, cleaning the stones and crystals properly with soft brush or cloth is the final stage before polishing.
Polishing Crystals and Stones
Are you now ready to finally start polishing your stones and crystals? Once again, make sure that you research more about your specific stones and crystals and the right ways of polishing them since the process may differ from one stone or crystal to another. Grab your safety goggles and get ready to learn the different methods of polishing.
Rock Tumbler
This one is probably the most difficult method of polishing stones and crystals. You need to buy an expensive rock tumbler, place the stone on it, watch, and wait. Take note that there are some gemstones that are not recommended to be polished in a rock tumbler. Don’t forget to check first before you begin.
Sand Paper
The easiest and also the best way of polishing stones and crystals at home is using sand paper. For this, you will need several grades of sand paper that will depend on the ruggedness of your raw stone or crystal.
50 Grade – Scrub the sides of the stone or crystal with equal consistency.
150 Grade – Proceed with the same process as above until there is nothing else you can do.
Maximum of 600 Grade – Eliminate the blemishes and blotches with fine sand paper with a soft surface.
Fabric Polishing
In case you don’t know, denim can actually be used for polishing stones. If the stones were not polished due to an interruption, you can still smoothen its surface through scrubbing it using hard fabric such as denim. Doing so can add a gleam like what happens when you buff your nails.
Tips to Cleanse and Care for Crystals and Stones
Gemstones have this ability to absorb or pick up vibrations that are not in harmony with their natural quality or rate. They can retain memories of feelings and thoughts of people who come into contact with them as well. This is the reason why it is recommended to regularly cleanse all crystals and stones. You will know if it is time to do so if the energy of the stone has diminished or the energy already feels tired.
This can be done in several ways. The easiest method for many people is to just put the stone or crystal under direct sunlight for several hours. The light of the sun is the colors of light and every color has a distinct vibration rate. This energy bombardment will remove any lingering energy that doesn’t belong there and wash it away to leave only the energies that the stone or crystal’s structure itself has produced. However, take note that some stones can fade when exposed to the sun. These include Smokey Quartz, Citrine, Rose Quartz, Fluorite, Aventurine, and Amethyst.
Another method is burying them in earth. The earth can produce large amounts of vibrational energies because its component parts are abundant with moving electrons. The energy can cover several frequencies that are beyond what the human eyes can see and each element produces its own vibration rate or tone. Don’t forget marking where you buried them so you will be able to find them right away. It will also help to use a bag. This vibration can wash away negative energies and leave only the crystal or stone’s energies. Crystals and stones can be buried for 2 to 3 days.
One more alternative method is putting coarse sea salt in a tiny container then burying the stone for 7 to 24 hours. Avoid using salt water since prolonged use might end up damaging softer stones. Stones can also be kept on a bed of salt if you are not using them. You can also energize the salt by sprinkling a small amount of tobacco.
