Raw, regular shungite is a gray colored mineral. Whenever it’s brushed but not polished it’ll have a dull black color with a grey shade to it. It’s the polishing process that gives the shungite its rich black color and sometimes the polishing will also give it a bright shade. Many people have questions about authentic shungite. These are important questions to ask when buying this stone because only then will you be able to experience all of its unique properties.
Understanding Authenticity
One of the main things you need to know is the way authentic shungite looks. Here you must realize that three different types of shungite exist (Type I, Type II, Type III). The difference is the amount of carbon these stones are composed of. Both Type II and Type III shungite are referred to as “regular shungite.” Type II contains 50 – 90% carbon while Type III contains 30 – 50%.
Type I shungite is known as “elite shungite” because it contains as much as 98% organic carbon. This shungite differs greatly from other types of shungite stones because it also has a shiny silvery surface and a metallic luster. To make sure that you’re getting raw elite shungite you need to take its solidity into consideration. Unfortunately, elite shungite is a very fragile material which is why it’s sometimes referred to as “glassy carbon.” When this stone is broken into little pieces in your hand then you have what’s known as authentic shungite. It requires additional processing to increase the stone’s firmness.
Both polished and non-polished shungite stones can leave a small black stain on your skin and clothing. This is because the stone is composed of a high amount of carbon. This is one of the signs that many people use to ensure that they’re dealing with an authentic product. Fortunately it’s easy to rid the stone of this black residue simply by washing it under warm running water. It’s especially important to do this for items that have holes in them (e.g. pendants) where this dust can become “stuck.” This is something that a lot of manufacturers will do so that you won’t have to deal with these black stains. Therefore just because the shungite doesn’t leave black residue on you doesn’t mean that it’s “fake.”
The Bottom Line
Authentic shungite is a unique mineral. However, its authenticity plays an important part in being able to experience its healing and protective properties. Therefore its quality is of the utmost importance so don’t neglect to buy it only from a reputable retailer.
