What is Shungite?

With some samples dating back nearly two billion years, Shungite is a semi-rare mineral that to date is found exclusively in the Karelia region of Russia.  Varying in purity, the highest grades of Shungite are composed of 98%-99% Carbon.  Although scientists are unsure of how Shungite was formed or where it came from, they attribute the stone’s potential benefits to its fullerene content.

While the origins of Shungite are still somewhat shrouded in mystery (theories include a large meteorite), its composition is not.  Comprised of fullerenes (or 3-D spherical molecules), these hollow molecules are made up made of 60 Carbon Atoms and are often referred to as “buckyballs”.   First discovered in 1985, fullerenes are credited for many of the mineral’s unique properties.  It has been used as a folk medical treatment since the early 18th century and Peter the Great set up Russia’s first spa in Karelia to make use of the water’s purifying properties. He also instigated its use in providing purified water for the Russian army.  The anti-bacterial properties of Shungite have also been confirmed by modern testing.

Another of Shungite’s more useful attributes is its ability to protect again the harmful effects of EMF Radiation.  Scientists believe that the unique property of absorbing and neutralizing radiation frequencies is attributed to the fullerenes found in its composition.   According to some research, fullerenes not only attract, absorb, and neutralize negative forms of energy, but can also create a “force field” around carbon-based elements.