How should I care for a shungite pendant so that it keeps its appearance for longer? — Pendant "Circle" 40mm engraved "Tree of Life" from shungite on a thread.

Shungite has a porous surface, so on contact with some substances it may change appearance or darken unevenly. A few practical recommendations:

• Avoid prolonged contact with water. Brief exposure to moisture is not critical, but do not soak the pendant or wear it in the pool or shower — water can penetrate the pores and affect the surface over time.
• Take it off before applying cosmetics. Creams, perfumes, oils and hair sprays can leave marks on the stone that are hard to remove without an abrasive.
• Wipe with a soft dry cloth. For daily care a soft microfibre cloth is enough — it removes dust and fingerprints without scratching the surface.
• Store separately from metal jewellery. Shungite can scratch when in contact with harder materials, so it is best kept in a separate pouch or compartment of the jewellery box.

If the surface has dulled, you can gently wipe the stone with a slightly damp cloth and then dry it immediately. Polishing products for metal or glass should not be used.