Identification guide · Carbonaceous Rocks
How to Identify Shungite
Shungite is usually black and dark gray with a submetallic luster and is opaque. It has a Mohs hardness of 3.5. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not. Its streak is black. It is most often confused with Anthracite, Jet, and Sterling Silver; the tests below separate them.
Shungite identification checklist
| Color | Black, Dark gray | Look at a clean, dry surface in daylight. Color zoning, banding or spots are as diagnostic as the hue. |
|---|---|---|
| Luster | Submetallic | Turn it under a lamp: a true metallic shine reflects like polished metal and stays opaque at thin edges. |
| Transparency | Opaque | Hold a thin edge up to a bright light and note whether light passes through. |
| Mohs hardness | 3.5 | A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not. |
| Streak | Black | Drag a corner across unglazed porcelain (the back of a bathroom tile) and check the powder color. |
| Fracture | Conchoidal to uneven | Broken surfaces show smooth, curved, shell-like scoops. |
| Specific gravity | 1.9 | Noticeably light in the hand for its size (specific gravity about 1.9). |
Shungite look-alikes and how to tell them apart
Shungite is harder (Mohs 3.5) than Anthracite (Mohs 2.5), so Shungite will scratch Anthracite and not the other way round. A copper coin (Mohs 3.5) scratches it, but a fingernail does not. Shungite vs Anthracite →
Both sit near Mohs 3.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Shungite vs Jet →
Both sit near Mohs 3.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Shungite vs Sterling Silver →
Both sit near Mohs 3.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
Field tips
- Look for a black color, light weight for its size, and a dull to submetallic luster.
- Shungite can leave a black mark and feels lightweight compared with most ordinary rocks.
- Locality is a strong clue, as authentic shungite comes almost entirely from Russian Karelia.
Shungite identification FAQ
How can you tell if a rock is Shungite?
Check the color (black and dark gray), the submetallic luster, a Mohs hardness of 3.5 and a black streak. Photographing it with the StoneSnap app gives a match in seconds.
What is the hardness of Shungite?
Shungite has a Mohs hardness of 3.5. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not.
What is the difference between Shungite and Anthracite?
Shungite (Mohs 3.5, submetallic luster) and Anthracite (Mohs 2.5, submetallic luster) look alike, but hardness, streak and heft usually separate them. See the full Shungite vs Anthracite comparison for a side-by-side table.
Is Shungite worth anything?
Entry-level Shungite specimens sell for around $5, typical collector pieces about $30, and premium examples $150 or more depending on size, quality and locality.
What color is Shungite?
Shungite is most often black and dark gray. Color varies with impurities and locality, so confirm with hardness and luster rather than color alone.
