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What is Shungite and Where is it From?

Shungite at Least Two Billion Years Old

Shungite is a natural material believed to have formed through the metamorphism of crude oil. It's widely used for water purification and its healing properties.

Shungite is mined in the eastern part of the Republic of Karelia, northwest Russia. Most stones come from the Zazhoginsky mine, which is the original and world's largest deposit.

Shungite is non-crystalline, meaning it doesn't have an internal crystalline structure. Naturally occurring solids that are not made up of crystals are correctly known as mineraloids.

From a geological perspective, shungite is described as a bituminous substance because it contains a high percentage of bitumen. Bitumen is a black, sticky, and highly viscous form of petroleum that's often found in natural deposits or obtained as a residue from the distillation of crude oil.

This hydrocarbon is made up of the remnants of dead organisms. A hydrocarbon is a chemical compound composed of hydrogen and carbon. Hydrocarbons are a major component of fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal.

Shungite, which formed about 2.2 billion years ago, is made up of decomposed prokaryotes mixed with mud and silt. Having penetrated the soil, these sediments transformed into rock over millions of years through metamorphism.
Prokaryotes (pro~ka~ree~ots), which are single-celled microorganisms, are the oldest and most widespread group of organisms on Earth.

Prokaryotes, which appeared around 3.5 billion years ago, were not only the first lifeform but the only lifeform for two billion years. During that time, they spread to almost every corner of the planet.

More prokaryotes can be found in a handful of soil than all human beings that have ever existed.

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Shungite contains fullerene, which is a molecule composed entirely of carbon atoms. Fullerene, diamond and graphite are the three forms of pure carbon. Carbon is one of Earth's most abundant chemical elements.

Carbon occurs in its pure form and can also combine with other elements to form various molecules. These carbon-based molecules are fundamental to all life on Earth.

For example, methane and carbon dioxide (CO₂) both contain carbon atoms. Methane consists of one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms. Carbon dioxide is one carbon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms.(*)
Carbon is the reason why shungite is highly sought after for its metaphysical healing properties. It's therefore important to be aware when buying shungite that not all material contains the same amount of carbon.

Shungite is graded according to how much carbon the stone contains. The amount can vary from more than 90% to less than 10%.

Elite shungite contains the highest percentage, usually around 95%. These stones are particularly distinctive due to their light weight and glossy appearance.

Elite shungite is relatively soft and brittle, so it's not generally used for cutting and polishing.

Lower-grade shungite, which contains less carbon, has recently acquired the name Petrovsky shungite. This material is claimed to have been named after the Petrovsky quarry where it's mined.

Despite extensive research, I have not found any factual geological documentation to support the existence of this deposit. Therefore, it seems reasonable to assume that the name has been created for this lower-grade material to market it as a unique product to attract buyers.

Lower-grade shungite is stronger and less brittle, making it far easier to work with. Therefore, this material is used to create jewellery and other ornamental objects. It's considerably heavier than elite shungite and has a slightly duller lustre.
Other types of shungite which include shungite-bearing rock, have a distinctively dull lustre. Shungite-bearing rock contains far less carbon and sometimes no carbon at all.

When buying shungite online, it's important to buy from a trustworthy source. Not only is there a considerable amount of low-grade material in circulation, but some fake shungite is also beginning to appear.

Bear in mind that if you buy directly from Russia or China, it's unlikely you'll be able to return it if you're not satisfied with your purchase. This may not be because the supplier doesn't accept returns, but because of the difficulty in returning the product to them.