Shungite from Russia
Shungite is a curious material found primarily in one location in north west Russia.
These elite grade shungite stones come directly from a supplier in Karelia. This region is home to the original and largest shungite deposit in the world.
Although it can be found in limited quantities in a few countries around the world, more than 90% of commercial grade shungite comes from Karelia.
Elite shungite which is the finest grade contains the highest percentage of carbon. For this reason it's the most suitable if stones are being used for their metaphysical properties.
Shungite is widely used in Russia for water purification purposes. It has been proven to remove organic and inorganic substances, disease causing bacteria and traces of metals from contaminated water (original reference).
Due to the amount required to purify one litre of water, elite shungite is not ideal for this purpose. Smaller rough stones that are cheaper and can be purchased in larger quantities are more frequently used.
Elite shungite is a lustrous stone that's surprisingly light weight. It has a unique texture and freshly mined material is covered in a soot-like residue. With most of the world's supply coming from one location it can be quite expensive.
Known to be at least two billion years old, shungite is an amorphous or non crystalline solid that's correctly described as a mineraloid. A non crystalline substance lacks any significant crystal structure.
Shungite is believed to be the only mineral-like solid that contains traces of fullerene which is a molecular form of carbon.
Whether your interest in shungite is scientific or metaphysical, it's a fascinating material you'll love having as part of your collection.
The price of our elite shungite stones is calculated according to weight. Irrespective of the size and weight of the piece you choose, it will be very very similar to those in our photos which all come from our collection.
We also have shungite tumbled stones. These are cheaper because a lower grade of material is used for tumbling.
Our first photograph was taken with studio lighting. Additional images were taken outside in natural daylight.
