7 Crystals That Cannot Go In The Sun (Storage Guide)

The morning I discovered my prized piece of celestite had faded from a vibrant sky blue to a pale, washed-out shade was the day I learned a crucial lesson about crystal care.

I had placed it on my windowsill, thinking the morning light would cleanse and energize it. Instead, the sun's powerful rays had stripped away its beautiful color.

Drawing on two decades of experience in crystal work, I've come to understand that while many crystals thrive in sunlight, others can be seriously damaged by it. 

The sun's ultraviolet rays can cause certain crystals to fade, crack, or lose their metaphysical properties.

In this guide, I'll share seven crystals that should never be placed in direct sunlight, along with proper storage solutions to keep your precious stones safe and energetically potent.

1. Amethyst: The Fading Purple Beauty

Amethyst is perhaps the most well-known crystal that suffers in sunlight. This gorgeous purple quartz can lose its rich violet hue when exposed to UV rays for extended periods.

What many crystal lovers don't realize is that amethyst doesn't need to be placed in direct sun to cleanse it—moonlight is actually the ideal purification method for this spiritual stone.

A piece of amethyst that once displayed deep royal purple tones can fade to a pale lavender or even a light brownish-yellow after repeated sun exposure.

This fading is irreversible and affects both the crystal's appearance and its energetic properties.

Storage Tips:

• Keep amethyst in a dark, cool place when not in use
• Cleanse with sound, moonlight, or sage instead of sunlight
• Display away from windows that receive direct sunlight

2. Celestite: Heavenly Blues Need Protection

Celestite, with its ethereal sky-blue color and heavenly energy, is extremely susceptible to sun damage. The delicate color can fade within hours of direct sun exposure.

Our Major Arcana Tarot Crystal Storage Box provides the perfect sanctuary for sun-sensitive crystals like celestite.

Available in natural or dark wood finishes, this handcrafted box features five compartments—three sized perfectly for tarot decks and two longer sections ideal for displaying delicate crystals safely away from harmful sunlight.

Celestite not only fades in sunlight but can also lose the energetic connection to higher realms that makes it so special for spiritual work.

I once had a client who kept her celestite cluster on her meditation altar near a south-facing window. Within a month, the once-vibrant blue had diminished significantly, along with the crystal's ability to enhance her meditation practices.

You can shop for the Major Arcana Tarot Crystal Storage Box here. 

Storage Tips:

• Store celestite in a wooden box with a lid
• If displaying, place in areas with no direct sunlight
• Wrap in dark cloth when transporting or not in use

3. Kunzite: The Sensitive Pink Stone

Kunzite's delicate pink to lilac color is not only stunning but also highly photosensitive. This crystal can begin to fade after just a few hours in direct sunlight.

Kunzite holds the energy of divine love, but this energy can become scattered and weakened when the crystal is exposed to harsh UV rays.

What makes kunzite particularly tricky is that it needs regular cleansing to maintain its loving vibration, but traditional sunlight cleansing methods will damage it. Instead, use moonlight, sound, or smoke cleansing for this sensitive stone.

Storage Tips:

• Store in a fabric-lined box away from light
• Cleanse exclusively with moonlight
• Handle minimally to reduce exposure to light

4. Fluorite: Rainbow Crystal Needing Shelter

Fluorite, especially the purple, blue, and green varieties, can fade dramatically in sunlight. This crystal's bands of color can become washed out, diminishing both its beauty and metaphysical properties.

Our Full Moon Crystal Shelf Wall Lamp from provides the perfect display solution for light-sensitive crystals like fluorite.

This illuminated moon-shaped shelf creates a magical atmosphere while keeping your crystals safely out of direct sunlight. The soft, warm glow provides gentle illumination without the damaging effects of UV rays.

Fluorite's ability to enhance mental clarity and focus becomes compromised when its structure is weakened by UV exposure—making proper storage essential for maintaining both its appearance and energetic properties.

The shelf's 4.4cm depth gives ample space for displaying your fluorite specimens, and the battery-powered design means you can place it anywhere in your home, not just near electrical outlets.

You can shop for the Full Moon Crystal Shelf Wall Lamp here.

Storage Tips:

• Display on shelves away from windows
• Store larger pieces in fabric bags when not in use
• Use moonlight or sound cleansing methods only

5. Rose Quartz: Love Stones Need Protection

While more resilient than some crystals on this list, rose quartz can still fade from its beautiful pink color to an almost clear appearance when repeatedly exposed to strong sunlight.

Rose quartz carries the delicate energy of unconditional love, which can become diminished when the crystal's physical properties are altered by sun exposure.

Many of my students are surprised to learn that their rose quartz jewelry should be removed before sunbathing or extended outdoor activities. Even brief but regular exposure can eventually affect this crystal's color and energy.

Storage Tips:

• Remove rose quartz jewelry before outdoor activities
• Store tumbled stones in fabric pouches
• Display larger pieces in cabinets or on shelves away from direct light

6. Selenite: The Sensitive Light Worker

Despite its association with moonlight (it's named after the moon goddess Selene), selenite is surprisingly vulnerable to sun damage. This crystal can develop cracks and fissures when exposed to heat from direct sunlight.

The Botanical Planchette Wooden Light Up Shelf from Coppermoon offers a mystical way to display selenite while keeping it protected.

This handcrafted poplar wood shelf, available in brown or black finishes, features intricate botanical details and star cutouts that let light shine through without harsh UV exposure.

Selenite's ability to cleanse other crystals and maintain high vibrational energy can be severely compromised if the crystal itself becomes damaged by sunlight and heat.

The shelf even comes with a piece of rose quartz encased in a copper basket, demonstrating how to properly display sensitive crystals. With a depth of 4.4cm, there's plenty of room for your selenite wands and plates.

You can shop for the Botanical Planchette Wooden Light Up Shelf here.

Storage Tips:

• Keep selenite away from windowsills completely
• Store in a cool, dry place (selenite is also water-sensitive)
• Handle with clean, dry hands to prevent oils from damaging the surface

7. Opal: The Rainbow Gem That Fears the Sun

Though technically a mineraloid rather than a crystal, opals deserve mention because of their extreme sensitivity to sunlight. These precious stones can crack, crazing (developing small surface cracks), and lose their play of color when exposed to heat and UV rays.

Opals contain water molecules that can dry out in sunlight, causing irreversible damage to the stone's structure and the magical color play that makes them so treasured.

I've met many people who inherited beautiful opal jewelry only to find it damaged after regular wear outdoors. Proper storage is essential for preserving these delicate treasures.

Storage Tips:

• Store opals in a fabric-lined jewelry box
• Keep a small damp cloth nearby (not touching) to maintain humidity
• Never leave opal jewelry in a hot car or direct sunlight

Alternative Cleansing Methods for Sun-Sensitive Crystals

Since many people use sunlight to cleanse and charge their crystals, it's important to know alternative methods for these sensitive stones:

1. Moonlight - Especially effective during the full moon, this gentle light cleanses without damage
2. Sound - Singing bowls, bells, or tuning forks create vibrations that clear negative energy
3. Smoke - Passing crystals through sage, palo santo, or incense smoke purifies them
4. Crystal clusters - Clear quartz or selenite can cleanse other crystals placed upon them
5. Visualization - Use your intention and energy to cleanse your crystals through meditation

Creating a Crystal Sanctuary

The best practice for storing sun-sensitive crystals is to create a dedicated space that's both protective and beautiful. Consider these options:

• Wooden boxes with compartments like our Major Arcana Tarot Crystal Storage Box
• Wall-mounted display shelves placed away from direct sunlight
• Fabric-lined drawers in a cabinet or desk
• Special crystal pouches made of dark, protective fabric
• Display cabinets with doors to keep dust and light away

Remember that even ambient light can affect extremely sensitive crystals over time, so rotating your displays and storing the most vulnerable pieces when not in use will help preserve their beauty and energy.

By properly storing these seven sun-sensitive crystals, you'll ensure they remain vibrant, beautiful, and energetically potent for years to come.

Your crystal collection is an investment in both beauty and spiritual practice—it deserves the very best care.