Moldavite is a fascinating and beautiful gemstone. It is one of the rarest minerals on earth, as it is only found in a few limited areas in the south of the Czech Republic. Why this is so is the subject of much debate, but the most feasible explanation is that it was formed some 14.7 million years ago as the result of a meteorite collision with the earth in an area of present day Germany a few hundred kilometres to the west of southern Bohemia, forming the Ries crater, and projecting molten rock eastwards. The molten rock solidified as it travelled back to earth, forming a natural glass which fell into an area of the Vlatava river valley (in German the Moldau river, hence the name Moldavite), where it is still found today, albeit in ever-decreasing quantities.
Moldavite is a natural glass belonging to the tektite family. Apart form its beautiful appearance, it is prized by healers and collectors for its remarkable metaphysical properties, and many people can feel its powerful vibrations simply by holding it in the hand or placing on the forehead.
This beautiful green mineral exists in various shapes, the most prized of which are the leaf shapes from Besednice and the drop shapes from Chlum. The more perfect the shape and the bigger the specimen, the more valuable it is. Moldavite is also found in irregular shapes which are used for cutting into cabochons and faceted gemstones, for use in jewellery. Moldavite can vary from a dull pale green to a beautiful intense green, and from opaque to the most stunning translucence, and its beauty is best appreciated when the stone is viewed against the light.
Moldavite is one of the most collectable of gemstones because of the infinite variety of shapes produced as it solidified on its way through the atmosphere before landing on earth. Some shapes and colours are more beautiful and desirable than others, but all have their own fascination for the collector. Being a relatively soft substance of around 6/10 on the Mohs scale, faceted and cabochon stones are best set as pendants and earrings to avoid damage, but moladavite rings are also very beautiful and can be worn provided the wearer exercises due care.
Cut moldavite often contains visible natural gas bubbles, and gems with bubble inclusions are very sought-after. The bubbles were formed before the material solidified nearly 15 million years ago. Several gas bubbles are clearly visible in the faceted moldavite shown in the picture below.
The pictures on this page are of moldavite specimens and a cut moldavite ring from my own collection. The large drop-shaped specimen in the first photo is the centrepiece of my personal collection and is probably one of the finest specimens ever unearthed at Chlum. It weighs 40 grams.
Large Moldavite Drop Small Moldavite Drop Fine Moldavite Specimen
Cut Moldavite with Bubbles Moldavite Cabochon Moldavite Ring
Moldavite is a fascinating and beautiful gemstone. It is one of the rarest minerals on earth, as it is only found in a few limited areas in the south of the Czech Republic. Why this is so is the subject of much debate, but the most feasible explanation is that it was formed some 14.7 million years ago as the result of a meteorite collision with the earth in an area of present day Germany a few hundred kilometres to the west of southern Bohemia, forming the Ries crater, and projecting molten rock eastwards. The molten rock solidified as it travelled back to earth, forming a natural glass which fell into an area of the Vlatava river valley (in German the Moldau river, hence the name Moldavite), where it is still found today, albeit in ever-decreasing quantities. 
This beautiful green mineral exists in various shapes, the most prized of which are the leaf shapes from Besednice and the drop shapes from Chlum. The more perfect the shape and the bigger the specimen, the more valuable it is. Moldavite is also found in irregular shapes which are used for cutting into cabochons and faceted gemstones, for use in jewellery. Moldavite can vary from a dull pale green to a beautiful intense green, and from opaque to the most stunning translucence, and its beauty is best appreciated when the stone is viewed against the light.
Moldavite is one of the most collectable of gemstones because of the infinite variety of shapes produced as it solidified on its way through the atmosphere before landing on earth. Some shapes and colours are more beautiful and desirable than others, but all have their own fascination for the collector. Being a relatively soft substance of around 6/10 on the Mohs scale, faceted and cabochon stones are best set as pendants and earrings to avoid damage, but moladavite rings are also very beautiful and can be worn provided the wearer exercises due care.
