Last Updated on December 29, 2023
If you have a piece of red jasper in your collection, then you are likely familiar with its fiery red exterior: It’s breathtaking. Its exterior is so fiery red, in fact, that you might find yourself wondering whether or not red jasper can even go in water.
Despite its fiery exterior, yes, red jasper can go in water. However—due to its unique composition—there is some risk associated with putting red jasper in water.
In comparison to other jasper specimens such as those of the green, black, and brown variety, red jasper has a composition that can—at times—react in water.
At the end of the day, though, it is up to you to decide whether or not the risks are worth the payoff. All I can do is inform you of the benefits and drawbacks of putting red jasper in water, which is exactly what this article seeks to do.
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Can Red Jasper Go in Water?
Technically, yes, red jasper can go in water.
Red jasper is an opaque version of quartz, so has a similar hardness to quartz. On the Mohs Hardness Scale, red jasper sits right between a 6.5 and 7. This means that red jasper is not water soluble and should theoretically be fine when cleansed with water.
However, when you are considering rinsing your stones, crystals, gems, and minerals in water, the hardness is not always the determining factor. You should also look at composition.
When it comes to red jasper, it actually gets its red color from high levels of iron. And what happens to iron when it sits in water for extended periods of time? Well, it rusts.
Does Red Jasper Rust in Water?
Although it may not occur right away, when red jasper spends excessive amounts of time in water, it can cause the iron flecks to rust.
Red jasper usually has a protective layer of oil or finish on its exterior to help it withstand harsh conditions, especially when it is purchased from a local shop. Yet, if you put your red jasper in a water bath on a regular basis—say once a week for four or five hours—the water eventually starts to strip away that polish leaving its exterior vulnerable.
Water can then seep into any cracks, gaps, and crevices on your red jasper and slowly start to rust the iron within.
This does not mean that you cannot put your red jasper in water at all. It simply means that you must take precautions when doing so.
How to Cleanse Red Jasper with Water
When cleansing red jasper with water, it is best practice to avoid water baths since—let’s face it—it is very easy to forget about any stone, crystal, gem, or mineral sitting in a water bath and accidentally leave it in there for far too long.
Instead, just rinse your red jasper under filtered or tap water for a brief moment or two, and be sure to dry it off with a soft cloth afterward so water does not seep into those cracks and crevices.
If you still feel that your red jasper is not completely cleansed after putting it in water, there are also some other methods you can use in combination with water to help cleanse it further and recharge its energy.
The best alternative methods for cleansing red jasper are smudging it with sage or placing it on—or beneath—the earth for an hour or two. Red jasper has a deep connection with the earth, so burying it underground is very efficient for recharging its energy.
What is Red Jasper Used for?
As I briefly noted above, red jasper has a deep connection with the earth. In fact, it is said that red jasper is connected to the earth’s molten core, which gives it immense energetic powers.
Because of its connection to earth’s core, red jasper is thought to be an excellent grounding tool similar to black obsidian. Red jasper can help stabilize the body, allow you to refocus on your goals, and firmly root you into life so you do not go off track.
Interestingly enough—but perhaps obvious because of its fiery red exterior—red jasper is also associated with passion and heat, especially in the bedroom. This being said, it might be worth placing a piece of red jasper somewhere in your bedroom if you are hoping to spice up your love life!
