Last Updated on December 29, 2023
If you’re a crystal, gem, stone, or general mineral collector—like myself—then one of the first minerals you probably added to your collection was sodalite: A royal blue tectosilicate mineral.
I bought my first piece of sodalite from my local gem and crystal shop, but maybe you’re lucky enough to have found yours out on a wilderness adventure or even just going for a leisurely hike through your neighborhood.
Sodalite is one of those strange minerals where I was already aware—prior to purchasing it—that there were mixed opinions regarding whether or not it can go in water, so I took it upon myself to put in the extra time and effort to delve deeper into the topic.
Spoiler alert: It’s not recommended that you put sodalite in water. This may leave you wondering—if you use sodalite as a source of positive energy—how you can recharge your sodalite if not with water. If you’re interested in learning why it’s not recommended that you put sodalite in water, as well as some alternative methods for recharging your sodalite, then you’re in the right place!
Can Sodalite go in Water?
Technically, yes: Sodalite can go in water.
However, because sodalite sits between 5 and 6 on the Mohs Hardness Scale—so it’s not quite a soft mineral but not quite a hard mineral, either—it’s not recommended that it go in water. Although sodalite is leaning more into the harder side of minerals, it is still considered quite a fragile mineral, especially when it comes to water.
If you rinse sodalite in filtered or tap water for a few seconds in order to clean it—and then dry it immediately after—it’s not the end of the world. It’s not going to dissolve right in front of your eyes.
If you are submerging sodalite in water for an extended period of time on a regular basis, though, this can become problematic—especially if you are using saltwater—and potentially compromise the quality and structure of the mineral.
Why is it not Recommended to put Sodalite in Water?
Simply put, it is not recommended that you put sodalite in water—in general—as it could cause the mineral to disintegrate over time, crack into smaller pieces, and ultimately just compromise the visual appearance of the mineral.
This is why it is important to avoid placing sodalite in bath water or drinking water, as well. Water could cause the sodalite to crack and release aluminum into your drinking water or bath water, which is toxic.
Not only could water eventually cause the mineral to physically diminish in size, but water could also dull or even change the color of the mineral. When sodalite is purchased from a local shop, they typically coat it in some sort of oil or polish. If you repeatedly give the sodalite water baths, the polish or oil may start to wear off changing the color of the mineral.
How do You Recharge Sodalite?
If it is not recommended that you put sodalite in water, you may be left wondering: How do I recharge my sodalite with positive energy, then?
There are actually several other ways to recharge sodalite to give it those properties of increasing peacefulness, enhancing willpower, and advancing intuition.
Sunlight
Just like sunlight tends to energize the human body, it can also energize sodalite.
If you choose to use this method to reenergize your sodalite, just place it in direct sunlight for an hour or two. It is best to only leave sodalite in direct sunlight for this short period of time as too much sunlight could affect its color.
Moonlight
On the opposite end of the spectrum, moonlight is just as effective for recharging sodalite as sunlight.
To recharge sodalite using moonlight, place your sodalite on the windowsill before you go to sleep and let it steep in the moonlight all night. Your sodalite should be recharged and ready to go the next morning!
Amethyst
If you are worried about leaving your sodalite in the sunlight for too long or you don’t have a windowsill ideal for capturing moonlight, then setting your sodalite next to a piece of amethyst may be your next best option for recharging your sodalite with positive energy.
Amethyst is a good source of energy for recharging other crystals and minerals because—unlike sodalite—amethyst is a 7 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, so can easily be recharged with water on a regular basis.