Elite (Silver) Shungite vs. Regular Shungite: what's the difference and which should you choose?
Elite shungite has a silvery sheen and is rare and brittle; regular shungite is matte black, durable and easy to craft. Understand the difference to choose the right piece for you.
When buying shungite you will come across two names: Elite (also called silver or noble shungite) and regular shungite. They share the same origin but differ clearly in appearance, durability and price.
Grading by carbon content
Sellers usually grade shungite by its carbon content. The exact figures vary between sources, but roughly:
- Type I – Elite: very high carbon (around 90% or more), with a silvery metallic sheen.
- Type II: medium carbon, black.
- Type III – regular: lower carbon, mixed with more minerals, matte black.
Quick comparison
- Appearance: Elite has a metallic sheen and a rough surface; regular shungite is matte black and can be polished to a gloss or left matte.
- Durability: Elite is brittle and chips easily, so it is almost only sold as raw nuggets; regular shungite is tougher and can be crafted into pyramids, spheres, cubes and pendants.
- Rarity and price: Elite makes up only a tiny share of reserves, so it costs far more per gram.
Beware of “fake Elite”
Because of its high price, Elite is often faked. A piece crafted into a sharp-edged, glossy shape yet advertised as Elite deserves a second look. See also 5 ways to tell real shungite from fake.
Crafted Shungite
Keep reading
View all →Shungite is a carbon-rich rock formed about 2 billion years ago in Karelia, Russia. This article sums up its origin, composition and what to know before you buy.
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The market has its share of dyed stones and black plastic passed off as shungite. Five simple tests — above all the conductivity test — let you check for yourself.