Shungite Properties, Facts and Photos

Introduction to Shungite

Shungite is a naturally occurring, non-crystalline solid correctly known as a mineraloid. Other non-crystalline solids include jet (similar to coal), moldavite, pearl, opal and obsidian.

Elite shungite, also known as noble shungite, has a unique appearance, distinctive texture, and is surprisingly lightweight. Raw material has a soot-like residue that comes from particles of carbon.

The colour of shungite can vary from a rich shade of bronze to almost black. It's opaque and can be highly lustrous.

Geologists believe shungite 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.

The Precambrian Period, which is around the time Earth began to form, began approximately 4.6 billion years ago and ended around 541 million years ago.

The late Judy Hall, author of the Crystal Bible books, claims shungite may have formed before organic life was established on Earth. That's since been dismissed because proof of its biological origin has been established.

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

Another article that I read said Lake Onega in Russia formed from a crater caused by a meteorite. The author said the crater may have contributed to the formation of shungite. Shungite is found close to Lake Onega.

Having looked into this, 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.

Fullerenes In Shungite

The presence of fullerenes in 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. "Physical state" means the form (solid, liquid or gas) remains consistent while the structural arrangement varies.

Graphite, and diamond are also allotropes of carbon.

Not all shungite contains fullerenes. A scientific study in 1998 found fullerenes in some material that was used. Out of twelve shungite stones from Karelia, fullerenes were found in three. (ref: Parthasarathy et al.)

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

Fullerenes have been shown to have significant antiviral and antioxidant properties, so have attracted considerable medical interest.

Replication of the HIV virus can be suppressed by a combination of antiviral compounds. It's therefore believed fullerenes could one day be used to help combat HIV and other viral diseases.

These findings have led to some wild claims about the benefits of shungite when used in alternative therapies for healing.

What is Fullerene?

Fullerene is a molecule, made entirely of carbon atoms, arranged in a pattern resembling a football. Fullerenes are characterised by their hollow, cage or mesh-like structure, usually made of pentagons pentagons or hexagons.

Although the shape of a fullerene is often depicted as a ball, it can also be an ellipsoid, or a tube but is not restricted to these shapes.

Discovered in 1985, fullerenes have attracted significant interest due to their unique physical and chemical properties, making them a subject of extensive research.

Their structure, which resembles a geodesic dome, gives them many potential uses in science, technology, and medicine. A fullerene can penetrate a cell membrane without causing damage.

Fullerene was named after architect Buckminster Fuller, who popularised geodesic domes. A geodesic dome consists of a network of interconnected triangles forming a spherical or hemispherical shape. It's renowned for its strength and stability due to even weight distribution across its surface.

Geodesic domes are used for various purposes, including homes, greenhouses, and exhibition spaces. They're efficient structures that can cover a lot of space with minimal materials, combining practicality with visual appeal.

Shungite Metaphysical Properties

The fact that shungite contains carbon has made it highly sought after for its metaphysical healing properties.

Carbon is the main element in all known life forms. It's the second most common element in humans, accounting for 23% of our total body weight.

Many crystal healing-related articles claim that one of shungite's many benefits is its ability to strengthen the immune system. Some even claim it can 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.
Another metaphysical healing property attributed to shungite is its ability to protect against electromagnetic fields. This follows a small-scale scientific study in Russia on rats in 2003.

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

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

Carrying a shungite stone is unlikely to produce the same results as those observed in controlled scientific studies on mice and rats.

Water purified with shungite is said to help with many conditions because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Scientific testing has proven that shungite can remove organic and inorganic substances, harmful bacteria, including E. coli, and heavy metals from contaminated water.

Studies once again carried out in Russia have shown that water purified with shungite revitalises the body. It eases some skin conditions and helps with gastrointestinal problems, kidney stones, and other ailments. 

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

Worldwide Shungite Deposits

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

Shungite from Colombia has recently appeared on the market, however, it's unknown whether it's shungite or another type of carbon.

I found an interesting thread on the geology and mineralogy database Mindat from 2022 that discusses Colombian shungite. You can read it here.

In 1879, a newly discovered material was described as an extreme sample of non-crystalline carbon. It was named Shungite after the village of Shun'ga, Republic of Karelia, where it was found. The history of Shun'ga Village can be traced 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 between thirty-five and fifty-eight million tons of shungite are available to mine. Most shungite being sold around the world comes from here.

Not all shungite contains the same percentage of carbon. The amount that's present can vary from 10% to 100%. Some stones being sold as shungite are shungite-bearing rocks.

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.

Pop-up images: Moldavite, Obsidian, Graphite - Courtesy of Stan Celestian. Diamond - Courtesy of Géry Parent.