One of the most frequently asked questions is about the authenticity of our shungite products. This is an important question, and we totally get why we are asked it. We completely understand that the market is swamped with low-cost knockoffs these days, and it's so crucial that you get genuine stones of shungite for their unique properties.
Many businesses adopt deceptive methods to increase their sales and market share, claiming that they sell original shungite while, in reality, it is far from the truth. If you buy what they call are marketing as "Shungite" stone, it might be either schist or shungizite only. Fakes have no positive influence on our human bodies. Therefore, there should be well-defined criteria to tell between genuine and fake shungite to avoid falling prey to conmen and ensure the safety of your health.
Luckily, it's pretty easy to do this- Here is how...
Authenticity at a Glance
Firstly, recognise authentic-looking shungite. There are three types of carbon content in stones (I-III). Elite Shungite, also called 'noble' or Type I, has up to 98% carbon content. While Type II contains between 50% - 70% carbon. There is also a Type III with 30-50% carbon, but we here at Grounded Kiwi only stock the higher grades as we believe in delivering the best value for our community.
Elite Shugnite has a shiny, silvery surface with a metallic lustre. To quickly check the authenticity of raw elite shungite (type I), you can assess its solidity. Elite shungite is a very fragile material. It is sometimes even called glassy carbon. Thus, if a stone breaks into small pieces in your hands, it is an authentic shungite.
Elite Shungite is becoming more rare by the day, as more and more people realise its potential health benefits. Even more so, because of all the Shungite crystals that have yet to be discovered in the world, only 1% of this is Elite Shugnite, which has the highest, most protective carbon structure.
Type II Shungite is dark black and more robust, making it ideal for making jewellery, pyramids, etc. Both polished and unpolished Type II shugnite stones can leave black spots on clothes and bodies due to their high carbon content. This enables you to test the authenticity of other so-called Type II Shungite pendants, pyramids, spheres, etc; if you don't get a smudge from them, you should question what they are.
Real shungite often contains brown, greyish, and even golden colours from mineral impurities like pyrite or quartz, located in the same layer as shungite. If you notice these coloured streaks on your shungite items, it is another good sign that your shungite stone is genuine.
More Complex Testing
Even professionals can only sometimes identify genuine shungite at first sight. The simplest and most efficient way to verify whether a given sample of shungite is genuine is by studying its electrical conductivity. High electrical conductivity is associated with the increased carbon found in shungite stone.
To perform this test, you will need a small battery, a bulb, and two wires. Take one wire and connect it to the battery. At the same time, another wire is placed into the bulb, creating an electric circuit from the battery to the bulb. Put a Shungite stone between these wires. If your Shungite stone is authentic, you will see how the light turns on.
Multimter Test:
Step-by-Step Guide:
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Select the Appropriate Multimeter Setting:
- Set your multimeter to measure resistance (ohms). This is usually indicated by the symbol Ω.
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Prepare the Multimeter Probes:
- Insert the black probe into the common (COM).
- Insert the red probe into the jack that reads resistance (Ω).
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Check the Multimeter Functionality:
- Touch the tips of the two probes together. The multimeter should read zero or close to zero, indicating it is functioning correctly.
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Place the Probes on the Shungite Stone:
- Hold the shungite stone steady and ensure a clean, dry surface.
- Place one probe on one end of the shungite stone and the other probe on the opposite end. Ensure good contact between the probes and the stone.
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Read the Measurement:
- Observe the multimeter's display. Authentic shungite should show a low resistance reading, usually in the range of a few ohms to several hundred ohms, indicating it conducts electricity. The exact value can vary depending on the type and size of shungite.
Interpretation:
- Low Resistance: A low resistance reading indicates good electrical conductivity, consistent with authentic shungite.
- High Resistance: A high resistance reading suggests the material may not be genuine shungite.
Trusted Shungite Sources in New Zealand
You can check if it's safe yourself, but it's better to reduce the risk of being scammed. We suggest that you buy shungite articles directly from Grounded Kiwi. We only source genuine shungite directly from Karliea, Russia, from a certified supplier. We have been working with Alexandra for many years and completely trust and verify our shugnite stones.
For genuine shungite, Grounded Kiwi is now recognised as New Zealand's most trusted supplier.