The initial cleaning won’t polish your crystals, but it will remove most of the outside dirt and chalk.

Try to use a new, clean toothbrush with hard bristles.

You may see a black dust, but it’s just the crystals shedding their outside layer. You can also use a dentist pick remove the harder, crustier dirt from the surface. Try not to scratch the surface too much, though![6] X Expert Source Sam Lagor, MScGeologist Expert Interview. 7 October 2021.

You may have to rinse each crystal a few times to get rid of all the soap.

Air drying is much better than trying to dry with a towel, since pyrite crystals tend to have a lot of crevices that can trap moisture.

For example, if you’re using 1 cup (240 mL) of distilled water, mix it with 1⁄2 cup (120 mL) of white vinegar. You can find distilled white vinegar at most grocery stores.

If it seems like your crystals need more time, you can leave them in for up to 15 minutes. Try not to leave them for too much longer than that, or you could damage them.

You can pour your vinegar and water solution down the drain once you’re done. As you rinse your crystals, you may notice some of the chalk coming off.

Storing wet crystals can create mold or mildew.

For example, if you’re using 1 gallon (3. 8 L) of water, pour in 1/2 lb (0. 22 kg) of oxalic acid crystals. You can find oxalic acid at most drug stores. Oxalic acid will turn your crystals a silvery, shiny color. If you want to keep them more natural looking, don’t use oxalic acid. Always add the water to the bucket first, then the acid. If you pour water on top of the acid, it could boil over and burn your hands.

The longer you leave them in the acid mixture, the shinier they will be.

To throw out your oxalic acid, slowly pour the mixture into a bucket of ice water. Then, add baking soda until the mixture stops bubbling. Test the pH of the acid mixture until it reaches 5. 5, then pour it down your drain. [16] X Research source Never dump undiluted oxalic acid mixture down your drain, as it can harm living organisms in the water way.

The amount of oxalic acid going down your drain at this point is minimal, so it won’t harm anything.

If you don’t neutralize the acid, it will keep eating away at the crystals over time.

Be very gentle with the crystals as you rinse them, as they may be slightly fragile from the acid.

Your crystals should stay shiny and clean for years to come. If they start getting dull or dirty, try cleaning them with a mild detergent.