Shungite Jewellery- 9.2 g - (1)

Overview

Elegant and sober pendant featuring Shungite (shungite) in a polished cabochon, mounted in 925 silver. The piece offers a deep black with a mirror-polish finish, highly sought-after in mineral jewelry for its presence and contrast. A timeless design, easy to pair with, and with a strong character.


2) Measurements and weight
Pendant dimensions (approx.): 4.5 × 2.5 cm

Thickness: 0.5 cm

Weight: 9.2 g



3) Mineralogical identification and chemical formula

Piece identified as Shungite (shungite), presented in a polished cabochon. Strictly speaking, shungite is not a mineral with a fixed chemical formula, but a natural carbonaceous rock. Its composition is expressed as predominantly C (carbon), accompanied by silicates and trace minerals in variable proportions.
Therefore, in proper cataloging it is indicated: Carbon (C) as the main component, not a closed formula.


4) Visual and geological reading (what you are seeing)

The uniform black color and the sub-metallic, glassy shine when polished align with lapidary-grade shungite. This type of material is especially valued when polishing achieves that mirror effect, as it demonstrates compaction and a good response to cabochon work.



5) Mounting and artisanal detailing (cabochon)

The stone is set in a chaton (the traditional jewelry term for a bezel setting), a detail highly valued because it reflects classic artisan workmanship and, in vintage dispatches, an mounting style today less common except in higher-end jewelry. 925 silver provides nobility, durability, and a superior presence in the catalog, with a clean and balanced aesthetic.


6) Authenticity and proofs (maximum control)

This piece is described with a professional and prudent approach:

925 silver: setting made in 925 sterling silver (contrast/inscription visible on the piece).

Acetone test (anti-dyes/resins control): natural shungite should not bleed. If it turns black on cotton with acetone, it would indicate the presence of dyes or coatings, something that is avoided through careful selection and criteria.

Streak (if performed on unglazed porcelain): usually black/dark gray, consistent with carbonaceous material.

Visual coherence: brightness, color, and polish response compatible with lapidary-quality shungite.

Honest note: without laboratory analysis, the identification is based on gemological criteria and commercial experience, providing checks and transparency.



7) Origin / provenance and history of the mineral

Shungite is a natural carbon-rich material known for historical deposits in the Karelia region (Russia), used for centuries in objects, amulets, and traditional applications. Its use in modern jewelry is due to its intensely black aesthetic and the growing interest in minerals with a clearly marked geological identity.

As always, behind every piece there is real human effort at the source: extraction, selection, and initial preparation of the material, hard work that deserves recognition.


8) Properties (collector’s focus/jewelry)
Color: black to grayish-black

Gloss: sub-metallic to vitreous with polishing (mirror effect)

Texture: massive, compact

Hardness: 3–4 (variable depending on the matrix)

Density (approx.): 1.8–2.1 g/cm³ (variable)

Conductivity: may exhibit slight conductivity due to its high carbon content (not always evident in small polished pieces)


9) State of preservation

Overall good condition, with polishing and mounting suitable for use. As this is a piece of jewelry and a natural mineral, micro-signs resulting from lapidary work or handling may be present, but they do not affect the overall aesthetics.


10) Old lot (real added value)

This pendant comes from an old batch, something that today adds more value for several reasons: materials from earlier extractions that are becoming scarcer, a better 'workshop culture' in certain classic mountings, and, historically, less pressure from counterfeiting than in the current market. It's a key point for collection and resale.


11) Market context: scarcity, counterfeits, and investment

In today’s market, especially online, there are imitations, dyes, resins, and treated materials circulating even on marketplaces. That is why here it is described with control, reasonable testing, and transparency.

Moreover, silver 925 pieces with a strong aesthetic (deep blacks, mirror-polished surfaces, and classic settings) tend to maintain demand, and it is increasingly difficult to find well-selected old batches. This makes them a purchase with potential for appreciation for collectors.


Positioning and Sales Policy

Selected piece under professional criteria: it is not sold “cheap just to sell.” The aim is to maintain standard and catalog coherence, oriented towards a serious buyer and a collection.


13) Conclusion

A Shungite pendant with a powerful presence, mirror-polished and set in a 925 silver chaton, reinforcing its antique batch character. Ideal for those who value minerals with identity, a sober aesthetic, and pieces that are increasingly rare in this condition.

Authenticity warning (important)

Piece described with maximum professional honesty and reasonable checks. Even so, the buyer should know that fakes and treatments also appear on marketplaces, so it is always advisable to verify with discernment (simple tests and, if desired, a gemologist/laboratory). It is sold as a natural mineral according to visual assessment and standard quality-control practices.