Shungite, Natural, Smooth Round, One 6mm Strand

Shungite, Natural, Smooth Round Beads, 6mm. 

This price is for one bead strand 15 to 16 inches long.

6mm strands have 60 to 65 pieces. 

Shungite is a black, lustrous, non-crystalline mineral consisting of more than 98 weight percent of carbon. It was first described from a deposit near Shunga village, in Russia, from where it gets its name.  Shungite's color is matte black to a gleaming gunmetal finish.

Shungite has to date mainly been found in Russia. Other occurrences have been described from Austria, India, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Kazakhstan.

Shungite has been used as a folk medical treatment since the early 18th century. Peter the Great set up Russia's first spa to make use of the water purifying properties of Shungite, which he had himself experienced. He also instigated its use in providing purified water for the Russian army. The anti-bacterial properties of Shungite have been confirmed by modern testing.

Shungite has been used since the middle of the 18th century as a pigment for paint and is currently sold under the names "carbon black" or "Shungite natural black".

Hardness 3.5 to 4

This is a natural stone that has had no treatment other than cutting, drilling, and polishing. 

The source of these beads is Russia and they are cut, drilled and polished in China.