Consumer Warning Regarding Fake Shungite

Consumer Warning Regarding Fake Shungite

The authenticity of Shungite on the market is a significant issue, and unfortunately, a substantial portion of the products labeled as "Shungite" are either fake or low-quality. Based on industry observations and reports from trusted suppliers, it is estimated that as much as 70-80% of Shungite on the market is fake or mislabeled.  (source- ChatGPT4.0)

Common fake materials sold as Shungite include:

  1. Jet: A type of lignite (a precursor to coal) that is much lighter and does not conduct electricity.

  2. Ranquirite: A mineral that resembles Shungite but lacks its carbon structure and conductivity.

  3. Anthracite or Bituminous Coal: Often polished to appear similar to Shungite but lacks the distinctive conductivity and density.

  4. Painted or Dyed Stones: Some stones are simply coated in black paint to mimic the appearance of Shungite.

Authentic Shungite comes primarily from Karelia, Russia, and particularly from the Zazhoginskoye deposit. The most reliable way to test Shungite authenticity is to measure its electrical conductivity using a multimeter. Real Type 1 (Elite) and Type 2 Shungite are conductive, while most fakes are not.

Additionally, authentic Shungite leaves a black residue when rubbed against a white surface, while fake stones do not.

As word of Shungite's powerful properties gets out, the proliferation of counterfeit, fake Shungite has exploded. There's nothing I can do to stop EVERYONE from getting ripped off, but I can just put up knowledge so it's available for research. Today's vendor is Etsy
This store claims to sell Shungite - that originated from Raquirite Colombia -
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As anyone who knows anything about Shungite knows - Shungite is found in only one single crater lake in Karilya, Russia - and nowhere else on earth. Just to make sure, I checked with ChatGPT Consensus to make sure - and here was the result:

I had no idea that people were selling wood, fabricated to look like Shungite, until a customer messaged me. They found out that the rock they bought was something called "Jet"—which I had never heard of.

Naturally, I looked up "Jet Stone", and here’s what I found:

Jet isn’t a rock at all—it’s derived from wood! No wonder it felt so light. This is exactly why I test everything before selling it. It’s way too easy to co-mingle "Jet" with real Shungite or, like in this unfortunate experience, sell it as Shungite for an absurd price—$280 for a block of wood!

As you can imagine, this is beyond disappointing—and honestly, it's hurtful. I believe karma is corrective in multiples, but I still feel compelled to do something about it. I might even make a YouTube video on this because it’s so frustrating to watch people get ripped off with fake merchandise.

This is why I started this store—to be at least one reliable vendor who doesn’t sell you fake stones. Too many people buy something fake and then say, "Shungite does nothing." It gives the real thing a bad name. And if that happens, how many people would I lose the chance to connect with authentic Shungite?

Honestly, it’s maddening. We even get customers trying to return fake rocks they bought elsewhere while keeping our genuine Shungite, which is why we have such a cautious return policy. I would love to fix this whole situation because, unfortunately, most of the Shungite sold in retail stores is fake.

Checklist for Ensuring You Are Not Buying Fake Shungite:

  1. Check for Conductivity: Real Shungite is electrically conductive. Use a multimeter to test it.

  2. Origin Verification: Genuine Shungite only comes from Karelia, Russia—specifically the Zazhoginskoye deposit.

  3. Appearance: Type 1 (Elite) Shungite is shiny and metallic-looking, while Type 2 is more matte but still conductive.

  4. Beware of Too-Good-To-Be-True Prices: If it’s suspiciously cheap, it’s probably fake.

  5. Source Your Stones from Reputable Vendors: Make sure the seller can provide proof of authenticity and certification.

At VerifiedShungite.com, we take pride in offering only genuine, tested Shungite directly from Karelia, Russia. Every piece we sell is tested for conductivity, and we stand behind our products with a commitment to authenticity and quality. Don't get ripped off by fake stones—shop with confidence knowing you’re getting the real thing.

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