Description
The term “shungite” itself is used to describe a mineraloid which consists of more than 98% carbon. Shungite has been used as a folk remedy since the 18th century, with its name derived from the village Shunga, in Karelia, Russia where it was first discovered. Its ability to purify water has long been known with Peter the Great setting up Russia’s first Spa in Karelia and its anti-bacterial properties have been proven with modern-day testing. Most Shungite comes from Russian Precambrian deposits of fossilised organic material from ancient seas.
Shungite is an extremely purifying mineral that can be used in water to make a ritual purification Elixer. It is also said to dampen electromagnetic fields caused by modern electronics. As this is a beautifully carved piece of Shungite it should not be used in an Elixer as its perfectly polished surface may get damaged in a container. If you do wish to make an Elixer it is better to use smaller tumbled stones. Shungite is used in the paint pigment “carbon black,” and it can sometimes leave a mark on surfaces when rubbed or scratched (easily washed away).
Conscious Crystal Sourcing
At House of Formlab we always try to source our crystals in an ethically minded way. We only choose high-quality pieces and work with trusted and reputable suppliers who also take ethics in the crystal supply chain very seriously.
Many of our suppliers buy directly from the mines and they undertake regular site visits during buying trips to ensure working conditions and low impact environmental protections are as claimed. None of our suppliers knowingly buy from mines with any child labour, poor or dangerous working conditions. Certain countries are known for dubious practices and we avoid sourcing from those regions.
Often crystals are not what the miners are digging for. More often than not they are byproducts found alongside more valuable elements such as are used in our mobile phones and TVs. This makes supply chains complicated but where we can we avoid minerals and crystals known to come from this type of operation.
Certificates are often hard to come by. There is still no overarching governing body which certifies crystals in the same way as diamonds are now tracked and certified – mainly due to the difference in value. The more outcry there is, the more chance is idea will gain traction. So keep asking and campaigning for ethically sourced crystals and together we can change the crystal universe.
Buying crystals is a learning process. We will make mistakes, everyone does, but rest assured we are trying our best to make the right choices and provide you with the crystal you can be proud of.
With crystal infused love,
