Shungite Properties, Facts and Photos

What is Shungite?

Shungite is a curious material that's relatively unknown.  Although sought after for its healing properties, it's also used for water purification purposes.

Shungite has a unique appearance, a distinctive texture and is surprisingly lightweight. When handled, rough shungite may leave a black residue resembling soot on your hands or surfaces. The dust is carbon particles released from the stone.

Shungite is believed to have formed through the metamorphism of crude oil more than two billion years ago.

One scientific study describes it as a fossilised organic material formed from sediments dating back to the Precambrian period.  The Precambrian, which is around the time Earth began to form, began approximately 4.6 billion years ago and ended around 541 million years ago.

Shungite is coal that has metamorphosed.  It was originally algae. 

One article I read suggests it may have formed before organic life was established on Earth. This has since been dismissed because proof of its biological origin has now been established.

Most carbon-based materials come from decayed organic matter such as ancient forests.

Another article suggests Lake Onega in Russia was formed from a crater caused by a huge meteorite.  Shungite is found close to Lake Onega.

The article said the crater may have contributed to the formation of shungite.  Having looked into this theory I can find no factual evidence to support it.

However, the basin for Lake Jänisjärvi (yanis~yarvi), which is less than two hundred miles away, is known to have formed following a meteorite strike.

Shungite: Non-Crystalline Solid

Due to its lack of a significant crystal structure, shungite is classed as a mineraloid.  These non-crystalline or amorphous solids are not minerals because they do not form crystals.

The colour of shungite can vary from a rich shade of bronze to almost black.  It's opaque and can be highly lustrous to the point where it almost looks metallic.

Shungite is known to remove organic and inorganic substances, harmful bacteria, including E.coli and heavy metals from contaminated water.

Studies carried out in Russia have shown that water purified with shungite has a revitalising effect on the body.  It eases various skin conditions and helps with gastrointestinal problems, kidney stones and other ailments.

Shungite water filters developed in Russia have been in use since 1995.

Fullerenes In Shungite

The presence of fullerenes in some shungite was first described in 1992.

Fullerenes, which have antioxidant properties, are an allotrope of carbon.  An allotrope is the ability for a chemical element to exist in two or more forms within the same physical state.

Graphite, charcoal and diamond are allotropes of carbon.

Fullerenes were discovered in 1985 and quickly attracted attention from different fields of science.  Today, they're widely used in industry and particularly in medicine.

Worldwide Shungite Deposits

Although minor shungite deposits have been reported in Austria, India, Democratic Republic of Congo and Kazakhstan, the original and largest source lies close to Lake Onega, Republic of Karelia, northwest Russia.

Shungite from Colombia has recently appeared on the market.  No scientific testing has been conducted to determine whether it's shungite or another type of carbon.

I found an interesting thread on Mindat from 2022 that discusses shungite from Colombia. You can read it here.

In 1879, a newly discovered material was described as an extreme sample of non-crystalline carbon.  The material was named Shungite after the village of Shun'ga.  As well as being the site of the first and largest shungite deposit, Shun'ga Village is the oldest settlement in the area with a history that dates back to at least 1375.  

The Zazhoginskoe field, which is approximately fourteen miles by seven, is one of the world's largest shungite mining fields.

Reports estimate there are between thirty-five and fifty-eight million tons of stone available in the area to mine.  The vast majority of the world's shungite comes from here.

It's important to be aware that not all shungite contains the same percentage of carbon.  The amount can vary from 10% to 100%.  Some stones being sold online as shungite are shungite-bearing rocks.

All known life forms on Earth are made up of carbon.  In humans, it's the second most common element accounting for 23% of our total body weight.

Shungite Debunked

The practice of using crystals for their healing properties can be traced back thousands of years.

Science has found no conclusive evidence to support crystals having healing properties or mystical powers.

What has been proven through scientific analysis, is that shungite can remove organic and inorganic substances, harmful bacteria including E.coli and heavy metals from contaminated water.  For this reason, shungite stones are widely used for water purification purposes.

The claim that shungite has the ability to heal in a medical sense comes from it being a natural source of fullerene.  Fullerenes have been studied extensively by scientists.  Fullerene molecules are composed entirely of carbon.

Fullerenes have been shown to have significant antiviral and antioxidant properties, so have attracted a great deal of medical interest.

Replication of HIV can be suppressed by a combination of antiviral compounds. It's therefore believed fullerenes could be used to help combat HIV and other viral diseases.  It's believed they could also be useful in many other areas of medicine.

(*)These findings have led to claims of shungite being 'a miracle stone' with extraordinary healing properties.  Many believe it has the ability to strengthen the immune system and can even benefit those who are HIV-positive.

This kind of information is inaccurate and unfounded and in the wrong hands, has the potential to be dangerous.
The claim that shungite can protect against electromagnetic fields follows scientific testing that was carried out in Russia in 2003 on rats.

Results showed the severity of damage caused by exposure to electromagnetic radiation could be decreased with shielding from shungite.  No further scientific analysis has been carried out since. 

In 2017, when shungite was applied to the skin of hairless mice who were then exposed to radiation, there was a marked improvement in several skin conditions.  These included elasticity, roughness, pore size, pigmentation and wrinkles. (Ma. Easter Joy Sajo et al)

Shungite was found to have effective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties compared to other screening control treatments.

Although these healing properties are believed to come from fullerenes, shungite was used because processing pure fullerene is difficult and expensive.

Water purified with shungite is said to help with many conditions because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.Fullerenes have huge potential to benefit science.  Shungite contains fullerenes, but that doesn't mean carrying a stone will achieve the same results as preliminary studies carried out on mice and rats.

Furthermore, not all shungite contains fullerenes.  A scientific study carried out in 1998 found fullerenes in some material that was used.

Out of twelve shungite stones from Karelia, fullerenes were found in just three.  The stones were all "bright shungite of a glassy nature". (Parthasarathy et al.)

Extensive scientific studies show that the benefits of using crystals for healing come from the placebo effect.  This curious phenomenon remains of great interest to science.

Shungite as a Healing Crystal

When used for its healing properties, shungite is an antioxidant that's believed to have exceptional anti-inflammatory capabilities.  It works as an antihistamine and can also relieve some types of pain.

It has strong shielding properties, so can be used to protect against geopathic stress and electromagnetic fields (EMFs).  A shungite stone can be carried or placed close to a computer or other device.

Shungite is beneficial for relieving stress and fatigue. It boosts physical well-being and has a powerful effect on the immune system.

Stress is transformed into high levels of energy and mental clutter and confusion are melted away.

According to the late Judy Hall author of The Crystal Bible, shungite absorbs negative energy.  Therefore, it needs to be cleansed and charged regularly. 

Shungite can be safely exposed to sunlight or placed in the light of a full moon.

Shungite is known to have been used for its metaphysical healing properties as early as the 18th century.  It's widely reported that Peter the Great, who ruled Russia from 1682 until his death, set up a spa in Karelia to use its water-purifying properties.  It's claimed he experienced the benefits of shungite for himself.

This has not been historically verified. While it's known that Peter the Great was interested in the healing properties of natural springs and established several spa resorts during his reign, no evidence links him directly to shungite.


Crystal healers who have worked with shungite say it clears stagnant energy and can help release repetitive patterns of behaviour.  It can also help you let go of beliefs that no longer serve you.

Shungite dissolves energy blockages and can be used in meditation to cleanse the aura.  The aura, which has been described as an energy field, is the non-physical form of our body.  It's said to represent our mortal being on a physical, mental and emotional level.

Cleansing the aura to release blockages can help energy flow to the core of the physical body more freely.

Shungite can be used to release feelings of self-doubt, guilt or shame.  These thought patterns hold you back from reaching your full potential.  It teaches you to become more in control of your feelings and to build strong relationships with those around you.

The healing properties of shungite bring clear vision and promote a positive attitude.

Working with shungite will ensure your glass is always half full instead of half empty.  A positive attitude brings freedom, happiness and a notable improvement in the quality of life.

Article Pictures

The rough elite shungite stones at the top of our article are from our collection.  The shungite stone in the second picture is courtesy of James St.John.

The shungite tumbled stones are also from our collection.

All three pictures are clickable and redirect to the original photo.