How to recognize genuine Shilajit? 5 purity tests

Warning: Faced with the proliferation of counterfeits, it is crucial to know how to recognize the real shilajit for your safety.

Warning: Counterfeits are rampant on the global market. In France, many sellers offer powders or capsules that resemble the product but are not the natural resin.

Do you own a genuine resin or a cheap imitation? We ask because safety and quality differ greatly.

This guide is our clear protocol for becoming an expert in authenticity. We present five simple tests to perform at home (solubility, flame, odor) and the steps to follow to confirm purity in the laboratory.

We explain three levels of verification: observation, in-house controls, and certified analyses (COA, ICP-MS, HPLC/UPLC, FTIR). Our tone remains scientific and informative. We make no medical claims, only guidelines to protect the consumer.

Our 5-step protocol for recognizing genuine Shilajit

Key points

• The market contains uneven and sometimes dangerous products.
• You will learn five simple checks to perform in 10 minutes.
• Home tests provide guidance; only laboratories confirm safety.
• We present a three-level method for evaluating resin.
• Altai Origin serves as a quality benchmark, with batches tested in the laboratory.

Why the authenticity of Shilajit is crucial in France today

The proliferation of imitations necessitates a strong focus on quality and traceability. The European market, and France in particular, sees numerous and often opaque offerings.

Imitation forms range from cut resins to reconstituted powders, including underdosed capsules. These products sometimes contain undeclared excipients. The consequence is simple: less active ingredient, less effectiveness.

Food safety is the real issue. Some batches reveal invisible contaminants. Documented heavy metals include lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, and thallium. These metals accumulate and pose a long-term health risk.

• Abnormally low price
• Origin unclear or not indicated
• No COA and no traceable batch
• "Miracle" promises

We advocate a two-pronged approach: simple home checks followed by laboratory testing. Altai Origin is ethically harvested in the Altai region and laboratory tested to guarantee safety and quality.

Criteria	Imitation	Authentic product
Composition	Diluted powder, excipients	Natural resin, fulvic acids
Risk	Metal contamination	ICP-MS and COA analyses
Traceability	Unclear origin	Lot, origin and certificate

What constitutes an authentic Shilajit: composition, natural resin, and variability

A true resin forms slowly in mountainous areas. It results from a long biological and geological process. We are talking about a dense, sticky, and complex substance, not a standardized powder.

Fulvic acids, humic fraction and minerals: the “signature”

The expected composition combines a humic fraction rich in fulvic and humic acids and a mineral matrix. This chemical fingerprint—detectable by FTIR or HPLC—constitutes the signature that laboratories seek.

Variability is normal: color, odor, and dissolution rate change depending on the origin and extraction method. This does not detract from the quality when purity is maintained.

Why the resin form resists counterfeiting

The sticky consistency, reaction to heat, and behavior in water are difficult to replicate. Additives or fillers alter the texture and solubility.

Our standards are based on transparent extraction, batch-by-batch analysis, and traceability. Altai Origin serves as a benchmark: 100% pure, ethically sourced, and tested resin, guaranteeing authenticity and safety.

Before testing: prepare your sample and avoid misinterpretations

Before we begin the checks, let's set up the space and equipment to ensure reliable results. Proper preparation minimizes false positives and false negatives. We'll guide you step by step, like a simple at-home protocol.

Temperature, quantity and minimum kit

A stable room temperature helps in judging the texture. For dissolving, use lukewarm water between 70-80°C. Avoid boiling water, which will alter the solution.

• Recommended quantity: ~0.5 g per 100 ml of water ; observation 2–3 minutes.
• Minimal kit: clear glass, small spoon, fine filter, lighter, notebook.
• Practical rule: start with a "grain of rice" or a "pea" depending on the control.

Keep a control solution (same water , same volume) for comparison. Common mistakes: dirty container, hard water, excessive stirring which creates artificial foam.

Interpretation : We are looking for consistency between temperature , dissolution, odor, and texture, not perfection. With these reproducible conditions, we can confidently proceed with the full protocol.

Shilajit Purity Test: Complete Home Verification Protocol

We offer a short checklist for quickly assessing sample quality. These checks are guidelines; they do not replace laboratory analysis.

Solubility in lukewarm water

Recommended dosage: ~0.5 g per 100 ml at 70–80°C . Wait 2–3 minutes without vigorous shaking.

What we expect: a homogeneous dissolution , the solution darkens and the product leaves no suspended particles.

Warning signs: granular deposits, undissolved pieces, greenish tint or oily film.

Filtration and residues

Filter the solution with a fine cloth. Inspect the filter in the light.

The presence of sand, grains, or paste indicates mineral or starch residues . True resin leaves little or no residue.

Foam and foaming agents

Stir gently. The absence of persistent foam is normal.

Stable foaming suggests the presence of additives. This is a signal to request lab testing.

Heat, fusion, and flame

Carefully and with ventilation, heat a small amount on a spoon. Genuine resin melts and softens without igniting or producing thick black smoke.

Chemical odors or splashes are signs of adulteration or additives. Be careful.

Texture, smell and taste

At room temperature the resin should be sticky and malleable, very dark brown to black.

On the nose: earthy, woody and slightly smoky notes. On the palate : bitter and slightly salty.

"If two or three warning signs appear, stop consumption and request a certificate of analysis."

Altai Origin meets the criteria below: 100% pure resin, ethical and laboratory tested to guarantee quality and safety .

Interpreting the results: signs of a genuine shilajit vs. signs of counterfeiting

Observing several simple indicators is often sufficient to assess the consistency of a sample.

Here's a handy guide to help you interpret your observations without overreacting. We remain scientific and compassionate.

• OK : homogeneous dissolution, little or no residue, malleable texture, earthy smell. These signs point to a good composition and consistent quality.
• Watch for : persistent cloudiness in the solution, small suspended particles, slight foaming. These may indicate impurities or mineral charges.
• Warning : Granular deposit, oily film, chemical odor or abnormal taste, dry and crumbly texture. These signs suggest cutting, additives, or contamination.

A single isolated indicator does not invalidate authenticity. The logic is "multi-indicator": it is the consistency of the results that counts.

"If multiple alerts appear, request a COA and consider laboratory analysis."

Our advice : keep the sample, ask the supplier for transparency, and choose products tested batch by batch. Altai Origin guarantees this traceability and analytically verified safety.

Laboratory analyses: the scientific proof of authenticity and safety

We always recommend requesting a recent Certificate of Analysis (COA). It should include the batch number, origin, date, and laboratory. Ideally, the lab should be ISO 17025 accredited.

What should a COA contain and how do you read it?

First, look at the heavy metals in the results. Then check the microbiology and the consistency of the analytical markers.

• Useful COA: laboratory name, accreditation, date, methods, units and numerical values.
• If absent: refusal by the seller = warning sign.

ICP-MS, HPLC/UPLC and FTIR: practical roles

ICP-MS is the gold standard for detecting trace amounts of lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, and thallium. It is essential for safety .

HPLC/UPLC measures active fractions (e.g. fulvic acids) and helps to monitor consistency between batches.

FTIR confirms a molecular fingerprint consistent with a natural resin. Together, these analyses provide robust evidence of authenticity.

"If the seller does not provide a clear COA with lot and origin, walk away."

Origin, harvest and purification: the criteria that determine quality

Origin is not a marketing ploy: it determines the risk of contamination, traceability, and the true value of the product. We assess the origin to understand the soil, minerals, and extraction practices that shaped this resin.

Recognized areas: why the Altai is among the legitimate regions

The Altai region joins the Himalayas and the Caucasus among the recognized regions. These massifs share geological conditions favorable to natural formation and the presence of minerals.

Choosing a known origin improves traceability and the likelihood that the product meets rigorous standards. We value Altai without disparaging other terroirs, as geographical variability influences composition.

Ethical harvesting and low-temperature purification: limiting contamination, preserving active ingredients

Harvesting by hand, at appropriate times, reduces exposure to impurities. Clean handling and dry storage limit contamination from moisture or particles.

Gentle, low-temperature purification is crucial. It prevents the degradation of humic fractions and protects sensitive molecules while reducing certain contaminants.

A chain of processes—clean extraction → controlled purification → lab analysis—improves safety and quality . Properly purified resin then promotes better absorption once dissolved.

"What matters is not the promises, but the process and the analytical evidence."

• Check the brand's description of the process .
• Demand thresholds and controls for metals and micro-impurities.
• Prioritize consistent batches and recent COAs to validate standards .

At Altai Origin, we apply these criteria: legitimate origin, ethical harvesting, low-temperature purification and batch-by-batch analysis to guarantee quality .

Altai Origin: our quality standard for 100% pure Shilajit

Altai Origin embodies a rigorous method for guaranteeing traceability and safety. We apply a "proof before promise" approach and make the documents that attest to each batch readily available.

Ethically harvested in the Altai Mountains and laboratory tested

100% pure Shilajit , in resin form, ethically harvested in the Altai Mountains. Each batch is sent to a third-party laboratory for analysis.

We test for heavy metals and organic profiles. These results confirm the product's consistency and safety for the user.

Transparency: quality controls, analyses, safety and batch consistency

• Who we are: a team that publishes COAs and batch numbers.
• Our foundation: verified quality shilajit, traceability and documented standards.
• Practical verification: the behavior in water and heat must correspond to the house guide; our batches comply with it.

Disclaimer: This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Individuals at risk should consult a professional.

Visit www.altaiorigin.com to see our certificates, batches and detailed method.

Conclusion

Practical conclusion: combine sensory observation, home trials and analytical evidence to make confident decisions.

First, check the solubility in hot water : a uniform color without settling or foaming is reassuring. Then heat a small amount: genuine resin melts without black smoke or chemical odor. Finally, the sensory assessment completes the evaluation: a malleable texture and a natural bitter-salty taste .

The definitive proof remains laboratory analysis and COA (ICP-MS, HPLC/UPLC, FTIR). If any doubt remains, do not consume the product and request recent batch-specific results for your safety .

At Altai Origin, we offer 100% pure, ethically sourced , and lab-tested shilajit. Visit www.altaiorigin.com for certificates and results.

FAQ

How to recognize a real shilajit at home?

We recommend several simple checks: the resin should be sticky and malleable, very dark brown to black in color. It should dissolve completely in lukewarm water without leaving any visible residue. There should be no persistent foam, no chemical odor; the taste should be earthy, slightly bitter, and sometimes salty. These combined signs greatly increase the likelihood of authenticity.

Why is authenticity crucial for security in France?

The market contains diluted or cut products that lose their effectiveness and may contain heavy metals, additives, or undesirable fillers. Demanding traceability and analysis protects your health and ensures that you are consuming natural resin that meets European standards.

What simple tests can be performed before sending a sample to the laboratory?

Prepare a sample at room temperature, using a small amount and lukewarm water for solubility. Filter through fine paper to check for residue, observe for the absence of foam, and smell the product. These steps reduce misinterpretations before any in-depth analysis.

How is the solubility test carried out and what does it reveal?

Dissolve a small amount in lukewarm water. A genuine product will dissolve evenly without grains or an oily film. Suspended particles or starch/sand residue indicate adulteration or mineral contamination.

What does the presence of foam after dissolution mean?

Persistent foaming may indicate the presence of synthetic foaming agents or additives. Natural shilajit does not typically produce these. This is a warning sign to request laboratory testing.

Is the flame test useful and safe?

A small heat test can help: the resin should melt without igniting or producing black smoke. If it burns easily or gives off a pungent odor, this suggests synthetic resins or impurities. Perform this test carefully and outdoors.

What laboratory results should be required to ensure quality?

Request a recent certificate of analysis indicating the batch origin, the heavy metal levels measured by ICP-MS (lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, thallium), and HPLC/FTIR profiles confirming the presence of fulvic and humic acids. Traceability and the date of analysis are essential.

Which heavy metals are of greatest concern and what limits should be sought?

The most concerning substances are lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium. Laboratories provide values ​​in µg/kg, and products intended for the European market must comply with regulatory limits. Request the precise figures on the certificate of analysis for comparison.

Why is the resin form considered more reliable than the powder?

Resin is less easy to dilute or cut without altering its appearance and texture. Its malleability, solubility, and chemical signature make it more difficult to counterfeit than powders that can be mixed with mineral fillers.

What influence does geographical origin have on quality?

Certain mountainous regions, such as the Altai, produce resins renowned for their mineral profile and purity. The origin, harvesting method, and low-temperature purification strongly influence the concentration of active ingredients and the risk of contamination.

How to read a certificate of analysis to verify its authenticity?

Check the date, batch number, and accredited laboratory. Read the ICP-MS results for heavy metals, then the HPLC/FTIR or UPLC profiles for fulvic/humic acid fingerprints. Ensure that the values ​​comply with accepted European limits.

What should I do if my product contains particles or has a chemical odor?

Do not consume the product. Contact the supplier for the batch/serial number and request a recent certificate of analysis. If the supplier cannot provide proof, contact an independent laboratory for verification.

Is HPLC/UPLC and FTIR analysis essential?

Yes to scientific confirmation. These methods allow us to identify the product's "signature," including the presence of fulvic acids and other characteristic components. They provide the most reliable proof of authenticity.

How much shilajit should I use for home tests?

A small quantity (a few tens of milligrams) is sufficient for solubility and physical observations. For sending to the laboratory, follow their recommendations: generally a few grams, neatly packaged and labeled.

Our recommendations for safe shopping in Europe?

Buy from transparent brands that publish certificates of analysis and traceability. Prioritize ethically harvested products that are purified at low temperatures. Demand proof and choose resin if you're looking for a form that's difficult to counterfeit.