Moldavite

Moldavite is a forest-green to olive-green natural glass (tektite) formed roughly 14.7 million years ago when a large meteorite struck what is now southern Germany, melting and ejecting terrestrial rock across central Europe. It is not a meteorite itself but an impactite — silica-rich glass born from the fusion of crustal sediments under extreme heat and pressure. Moldavite typically shows a translucent to semi-transparent body with bubble inclusions and a pitted, wrinkled natural surface known as sculpturation.

Origin and Key Properties of Moldavite

Moldavite is found almost exclusively in the Czech Republic, scattered across four strewn fields: Southern Bohemia (near Český Krumlov and Vrábče), Moravia (around Třebíč and Slavice), the Cheb Basin, and Lusatia. The Bohemian field produces the largest and most translucent material, while Moravian stones tend toward brown-green tones. Commercial mining centers on Besednice, where the most sculpted "museum-grade" specimens are hand-dug from gravel layers. Global supply is small and shrinking, which is why verified Moldavite carries a premium over common green glass.

Chemically, Moldavite is an amorphous silica glass with the approximate composition SiO₂ 75–80%, Al₂O₃ 10%, plus K₂O, FeO, MgO, and CaO. It measures 5.5 on the Mohs scale, has a specific gravity of 2.32–2.38, and a refractive index near 1.48–1.50. Colors range from pale bottle-green to deep olive and brownish-green. No heat, dye, irradiation, or coating treatments are applied to genuine Moldavite — the material is sold as-is. However, the market is saturated with fakes: green bottle glass, Chinese glass castings, and molded resin are the most common imitations. Real Moldavite shows lechatelierite inclusions (thin hair-like silica strands) and natural etch patterns that molds cannot replicate.

Moldavite in Sterling Silver Jewelry

Moldavite appears in two broad jewelry styles. Raw, uncut specimens are bezel-set to preserve the natural sculpturation — this is the format collectors prefer. Faceted Moldavite (oval, pear, cushion, and brilliant cuts) is less common because cutting destroys surface character, but it yields brighter transparency and sharper green color. Cabochons are rare. Sterling silver (.925) is the standard mount: its cool white tone intensifies the green without competing, and the metal is soft enough for bezels that cradle irregular raw edges safely. Browse our moldavite jewelry for current pendants, rings, and earrings. Pricing at SilverRush Style typically runs $40–$180 depending on stone size, clarity, and whether the piece uses raw or faceted material.

Care and Cleaning

Clean Moldavite with warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush to reach into the pitted surface. Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners — the internal bubbles and lechatelierite inclusions can fracture under vibration. Keep it away from bleach, chlorine, and abrasive polishes. Store each piece separately in a soft pouch; harder stones like quartz or topaz will scratch Moldavite's 5.5 hardness. Remove before workouts, swimming, and household cleaning.

Frequently Asked Questions