It was the mid-1990s. It seemed harmless enough at the time—pop a clear quartz crystal into your drinking water to add a bit of energetic zing to your day. Maybe rose quartz for unconditional love. Citrine for a little boost of confidence.

But then someone came into the shop and said, “I’m going to put this pyrite in my drinking water.”
“Um, what?” I asked, doing a double-take.
“Yes,” they replied, “I’ve heard it’s good for abundance!”

That’s when alarm bells went off.

A Scary Lesson From the Tui Mine

A few years earlier, my late dad, who was a Mineral Dealer—gruff and blunt as he was—shared a story that stuck with me. A couple came into the shop with their curious three-year-old. While the parents were distracted, the toddler grabbed a mineral specimen from the Tui Mine and popped it into their mouth.

Dad quickly stepped in:
“Stop! That’s arsenopyrite!”

He explained it could contain arsenic. Not knowing how long the child had been mouthing it, he advised the parents to take them to A&E straight away.

We never heard from them again, and thankfully, nothing bad came of it (as far as we know). However, it taught me an important lesson: minerals are beautiful, but they are also composed of various chemicals that are not beneficial to humans.

Why Do People Put Crystals in Water?

The idea is to create a "crystal elixir" or "gem elixir"—also called crystal-infused water these days. The intention is to soak the energy or vibration of the crystal into the water, which you can then drink, bathe in, use in rituals, or even spray around a room.

It’s a beautiful idea in theory, but in practice? It’s not always safe.

Reasons NOT to Put Crystals in Water

Here’s why I don’t recommend dropping crystals into your drink bottle or bath—especially now that more people are getting into crystals and not everyone does their homework.

💧 1. Some Crystals Dissolve in Water

Certain crystals are water-soluble or easily damaged For example. 

• Halite (rock salt) – melts away

• Calcite can soften and lose polish.

• Lepidolite – crumbles easily

⚠️ 2. Some Are TOXIC

Some minerals contain harmful elements like arsenic, mercury, copper, or lead. These can leach into water, especially acidic water (like citrus water or kombucha).

For example

• Malachite (copper)

• Galena (lead)

• Cinnabar (mercury)

• Pyrite (can create sulfuric acid)

• Shungite (can contain pyrite inclusions)

🧱 3. Water Can Crack or Damage Your Crystals

Water can seep into microscopic cracks and cause fractures over time, For Example,

• Fluorite

• Azurite

• Desert Rose

Thermal shock from cleaning in boiling water can also cause them to shatter or weaken the structure, where you might have chips that break off.

🌈 4. Dulls the Finish

Water can damage the polish of tumbled or treated stones if there soft, leaving them looking dull, cloudy, or spotty.

For context, here is a blog on 'Mineral Hardnesses'. 

🦠 5. Bacteria and Hygiene Risk

Porous stones can harbour bacteria or mould, especially in humid environments like water bottles. Cleaning them with heat can cause thermal shock and breakage. That’s why I also never recommend using crystals for direct skin massage (unless they’re basalt and have gone through a proper hygiene process like in hot stone massage therapy).

⚠️ 6. Choking Hazard

This one hit home for me when my daughter nearly choked on an ice cube at a café. Ever since, we’ve gone ice-free in drinks for young kids.

If someone pops a small tumbled stone into a drink, it could accidentally be swallowed by:

• Children

• Pets

• Even distracted adults

Not worth the risk!

So... Are Crystal Elixirs Totally Bad?

Not at all! You can still enjoy the energetic benefits of crystals without putting them in your drink.

Try the Indirect Method

Here’s a safe and straightforward way to make a crystal elixir:

1. Place a glass of water next to your chosen crystal overnight.

2. You can also build a mini crystal grid around your water bottle.

3. Let it sit in a peaceful place with your intention in mind.

This way, the water is never in direct contact with the crystal, but it can still soak up the vibes through energetic resonance.

Nature’s Own Elixirs

Want something uplifting in your drink? Try slices of:

• Cucumber

• Mint

• Feijoa (one of my faves!)

• Citrus fruits (great in winter)

• Green apple (crisp and refreshing)

These are natural, safe, and absolutely delicious. And like crystals, fruit and veggies come straight from nature.

I’m not here to be the fun police, but I do think we’ve outgrown the 1990s version of the crystal elixir trend. Today, with more people using crystals and not everyone fully understanding the science behind them, it’s time to err on the side of caution.

Crystals are incredible—beautiful, powerful, and energetically rich. However, they are also minerals, composed of real chemical compounds. Use them with care and intention, and they’ll serve you well.

Photo of my Glass Drink Bottle surrounded by a grid of crystals featuring Tourquoise, Quartz Points, and Amethyst. No Crystals in the Drinking water. 

Another Helpful Blog https://blissfulthings.rocketspark.co.nz/blog/post/145113/know-your-crystal-hardnesses/