Moldavite
Tektite (Moldavite variety) · Meteoritic Material / Rare Collector Gemstone
Crystal System
Amorphous (Non-crystalline glass)
Mineral Group
Tektite / Natural Glass
Chemical Formula
SiO2 + Al2O3 (Silicate glass with extraterrestrial impact melt origins)
Formation Process
Impactite formation resulting from a massive meteorite collision with Earth approximately 14.7 million years ago, melting terrestrial rocks and terrestrial ejecta fused with extraterrestrial material.
About This Crystal
Small, olive-green to forest-green irregular fragment with a distinctive, deeply etched, wrinkled, and pitted surface texture known as sculpturing, caused by natural chemical corrosion in acidic soil.
Physical Characteristics
Color ranges from deep forest green to pale olive-green; white streak (or none); no crystal habit due to amorphous nature; completely lacks cleavage; exhibits conchoidal fracture; specific gravity around 2.32 to 2.38; brittle tenacity; non-magnetic and non-fluorescent.
Optical Properties
Isotropic (singly refractive); refractive index typically around 1.48 to 1.51; transparent to translucent in thin sections; contains characteristic elongated gaseous bubbles, swirling flow lines, and lechatelierite inclusions.
Hardness & Durability
Origin Region
Bohemia and Moravia in the Czech Republic, associated with the Ries meteorite crater impact zone
Hardness & Durability
Mohs hardness of 5.5 to 6.5; moderate durability and toughness; susceptible to scratching by quartz and harder gemstones; sensitive to rapid thermal shock and strong hydrofluoric acid.
Care & Maintenance
Clean gently with warm soapy water and a soft cloth; avoid ultrasonic cleaners, harsh chemicals, and steam; store separately in a soft pouch to prevent scratching from harder minerals.
Rarity & Value
Rare and highly sought after by collectors; value is determined by weight in grams, deep color intensity, distinct sculptural texture, and intact shape; heavily counterfeited in the global marketplace, necessitating verification by certified gemological laboratories.
Special Characteristics
Contains genuine lechatelierite inclusions (pure silica glass bubbles), aerodynamic drop or teardrop forms (though this specimen is a broken fragment), and characteristic micro-pitted bubble channels.
Lore & History
Believed by crystal enthusiasts to accelerate spiritual evolution, open the heart and third-eye chakras, and facilitate intense vibrational shifts; historically used as talismans and amulets dating back to the Stone Age and famously gifted among European royalty.