Fake Shungite Alert: How to Identify Counterfeit Shungite

Fake Shungite Alert: How to Identify Counterfeit Shungite

The popularity of Shungite has led to an explosion of fake and mislabeled products on the market. From 'Colombian Shungite' (Raquirite) to misrepresented materials like Jet and even plastic imitations, deceptive sellers are tricking customers into buying worthless stones. This guide will help you distinguish real Shungite from fakes so you can avoid getting scammed.

Common Fake Shungite Types

1. Raquirite - The 'Colombian Shungite' Scam

One of the biggest frauds in the Shungite market today is Raquirite, a mineral from Colombia being falsely advertised as 'Colombian Shungite.

What is Raquirite?

Raquirite is a carbon-containing mineral found in Colombia, but it does not share the unique characteristics of true Shungite. Unlike genuine Type I Elite Shungite, which contains a high percentage of pure carbon and naturally occurring fullerenes, Raquirite lacks independent verification of these properties. Sellers of Raquirite often claim it has 93-99% carbon content, yet no laboratory analysis supports this claim in the way true Shungite has been tested and verified for decades.

Why Is It Being Marketed as 'Colombian Shungite'?

The name 'Shungite' carries significant recognition among those who value its potential benefits, leading some sellers to rebrand Raquirite as 'Colombian Shungite' to capitalize on this demand. However, Shungite is a geologically specific mineral, meaning it originates solely from Karelia, Russia. Any material claiming to be from another location is inherently misleading.

Key Differences Between Shungite and Raquirite

Feature True Shungite (Karelia, Russia) Raquirite ('Colombian Shungite')
Origin Karelia, Russia Colombia
Carbon Content 98-99% (Type I) Questionable, unverified claims of 93-99%
Fullerenes Naturally occurring No confirmed fullerenes
Scientific Recognition Extensively studied for decades No peer-reviewed studies
Electrical Conductivity Highly conductive Unknown, likely non-conductive
Transparency Proven composition through spectral analysis Lacks independent verification

2. 'Jet' - The Wooden Impostor

Another misleading stone being passed off as Shungite is Jet, a lightweight black mineral that is not even a rock—it’s derived from wood!

How Did This Fraud Come to Light?

A customer messaged me on my website, verifiedshungite.com, saying they had purchased what they believed to be Shungite but later found out it was Jet. I had never heard of Jet before, so I looked it up—and what I discovered was shocking.

Why Jet is NOT Shungite:

  • Jet is not a rock—it’s fossilized wood! No wonder it’s so lightweight.

  • It has no electrical conductivity. True Shungite is conductive; Jet is an insulator.

  • Some sellers are mixing Jet with other materials to make it look more like Shungite.

  • One buyer paid $280 for a block of wood, believing it to be Shungite!

3. Amazon & Etsy Fakes – Coal, Plastic, and Painted Stones

If you’ve seen cheap Shungite listings—especially ones selling for suspiciously low prices—you’re likely looking at fakes.

Common scams include:

  • Coal labeled as Shungite – I saw a vendor on Etsy selling “Shungite” for $4. Their video literally showed them grabbing chunks of coal and calling it Shungite!

  • Plastic imitations from China – Some 'Shungite' sold on Amazon is literally plastic, as confirmed by customers who have cut into the pieces.

  • Painted stones – Some vendors take regular black rocks, coat them in a glossy black finish, and pass them off as Shungite.

How to Spot Real Shungite

If you’re looking for authentic Shungite, here are the essential tests and precautions you should take:

1. Verify the Source

  • Only buy Shungite from Karelia, Russia. Any other origin (Colombia, India, China, etc.) is a red flag.

  • Check for seller transparency. If a seller cannot provide sourcing details, avoid them.

2. Test for Electrical Conductivity

  • Type I (Elite) and Type II Shungite are conductive. Use a multimeter to check resistance—real Shungite conducts electricity.

  • If it’s non-conductive, it’s fake. (Note: Type III Shungite has lower conductivity, but still more than most fakes.)

3. Request Lab Certification

  • Genuine Shungite has been analyzed for fullerenes. Ask for a spectral analysis from an independent lab.

  • Beware of vague 'lab reports' that don’t include actual test results.

4. Be Wary of Too-Good-To-Be-True Prices

  • Authentic Shungite is rare and valuable. If the price is extremely low, it’s likely fake.

  • Compare with reputable sellers. A $4 chunk of 'Shungite' is almost certainly a scam.

Why Buying Fake Shungite is Harmful

Buying counterfeit Shungite is not just about wasting money—it also damages the reputation of real Shungite. If someone unknowingly buys a fake and experiences no benefits, they may dismiss Shungite entirely, depriving themselves of its potential.

I started this store because I wanted there to be at least one reliable vendor that did not sell fake stones. Otherwise, people would naively buy blocks of wood or literal plastic pieces from China, conclude that “Shungite does nothing,” and ruin the reputation of this amazing mineral.

We’ve even had customers try to return fake Shungite they bought elsewhere and keep their genuine rocks from us, which is why we have such a cautious return policy.

Final Thoughts

Shungite is a powerful, unique mineral with distinct properties—but only if it’s real. Mislabeled and counterfeit stones, from Raquirite to Jet, are flooding the market. Stay vigilant, educate yourself, and only buy from verified sources that offer transparency and proper testing.

For 100% authentic Shungite, shop with reputable sellers who provide verified sourcing and lab results. Don’t let deceptive marketing trick you into buying worthless imitations! Here's a video to show you more about how to spot fake shungite!!

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