What is Shungite and Where is it From?

Shungite: At Least Two Billion Years Old

Shungite is a broad term for several carbon-rich rocks from the eastern part of the Republic of Karelia, northwest Russia. Most shungite comes from the Zazhoginsky mine, the original and world's largest deposit.

Shungite's carbon content can vary widely depending on grade and the part of the deposit. It's widely used for its metaphysical healing properties and water purification.

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

From a geological perspective, some shungite is described as bituminous. Bitumen is a black, sticky, and highly viscous form of petroleum, often found in natural deposits or left as a residue from the distillation of crude oil.

Crude oil is primarily a complex mixture of hydrocarbons (compounds made of hydrogen and carbon), along with smaller amounts of elements such as sulphur, nitrogen, and oxygen.

It forms over millions of years from ancient marine organic matter (including plankton and algae) that was buried under sediment and transformed by heat and pressure in the Earth’s crust.

Shungite, which formed about 2.2 billion years ago, is thought to have formed from organic-rich muds and silts, linked to early microorganisms such as prokaryotes, which were altered by metamorphism, turning them into rock.
elite shungite stone in someones hand Prokaryotes (pro-KAIR-ee-oats), which are single-celled microorganisms, are the oldest and most widespread life forms that exist in staggering numbers. A modest handful of soil is likely to contain more prokaryotic cells than there are people alive on Earth.

They appeared around 3.5 billion years ago, and were not only the first life forms but the only life forms for two billion years. During that time, they spread to almost every corner of the planet.

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Shungite contains fullerenes, which are molecules composed entirely of carbon atoms. Fullerenes, diamond and graphite are three well-known forms of pure carbon. Carbon is one of Earth's most important chemical elements.

Carbon occurs in its pure form and can also combine with other elements to form various molecules. These carbon-based compounds 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 stones that not all material contains the same amount of carbon.

Shungite is graded by the amount of carbon it contains. The amount can vary from 90-98% to less than 10%. Elite shungite, which has the highest percentage, is particularly distinctive due to its light weight and glossy appearance. Being relatively soft and brittle, and quite expensive, it's not generally used for cutting and polishing.

Some lower-grade shungite that I've seen online is being described as Petrovsky shungite. It's 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 plausible that the name was created to make this lower-grade material sound more appealing.

Shungite with less carbon is stronger and less brittle, making it far easier to work with. Therefore, it's widely used for jewellery, carvings, and other ornamental pieces. Being a shungite-bearing rock, it's considerably heavier than elite shungite and has a dull lustre.

This material has far less carbon, and sometimes no carbon at all.
two pieces of elite shungite on an oak board When buying shungite online, it's important to use a trustworthy supplier. Not only is there a considerable amount of low-grade material in circulation, but fake shungite has also been reported.

A material from Colombia that looks almost identical to elite shungite from Karelia has also recently appeared on the market. Some retailers describe it as ‘elite shungite’, although there is currently no peer-reviewed scientific data to support it being the same material.

In another article in our blog, we compare these two materials using factual, geological, and scientific information currently available.