Shungite

Shungite was named after being found near Shunga Village, in Karelia, Russia. It is mostly made up of carbon. It is black, lustrous, matte or anywhere in between.

Since the early 18th century Shungite has been used in medical treatment and it's water purifying properties. Anti-bacterial properties have been confirmed by modern testing. It has also been used as black paint pigment (carbon black or shungite natural black). In the 1970's Shungite was used in the production of an insulating material (shungisite).