Besednice Moldavite

What is Moldavite?

Moldavite is a green silica based tektite that formed during a meteorite impact approximately 15,000,000 years ago. The impact caused molten rock and meteorite to be ejected into the atmosphere where they combined to form a natural glass(a tektite). As the glass fell, it was sculpted into different shapes by a process called flight ablation. The tektite landed in a small area of central Europe that is now known as the Czech Republic. Flight ablation along with chemical erosion over a span of millions of years created the shape and skin texture that moldavite possesses today. This is demonstrated quite well by Besednice region moldavite as they have sharp spines protruding from the body in all directions because of chemicals in the soil unique to the Besednice area. Science does not definitively know what caused the creation of tektites, however the meteorite impact theory is the most accepted catalyst.

Back-lit Moldavite

What is Moldavite? (Technical Information)

The Chemical composition of the tektite moldavite is as follows: SiO2 79.97%; TiO2 0.33%; Al2O3 9.95%; Fe2O3 0.33%; FeO 1.50%; FeO celk 1.81%; MnO 0.08%; MgO 1.97%; CaO 2.71%; Na2O 0.46%; K2O 3.39%; K2O/Na2O 7.37%

Specific Gravity: 2.349

Density: 2.342 g/cc

Melting Point: 1100 Degrees Celcius

Mohs Hardness: 6.5-7

How Rare is Moldavite?

Moldavite is quite rare. It is certainly rarer than diamonds because it is nearly extinct! The earth does not produce moldavite, unlike the diamond. In 1986, it was estimated that only one ton of moldavite had ever been collected. Once the mines stop yielding a profitable crop the mines will be closed. When that happens we will see no more newly mined specimens! 

Besednice(pronounced: Bes-ed-neet'-sa) moldavite is the rarest of all because only a handful of specimens have ever been produced by the small deposit. It is my understanding that the mine at Besednice has been closed for about ten years. The average price for a specimen of Besednice Moldavite is $20 per gram. UPDATE: The Besednice mine has been reopened by a mining group using mechanized digging equiptment to clean out the few remaining pieces. The use of these machines to excavate moldavite specimens(especially Besednice) is quite unwise. These pieces must be dug by hand in order to ensure the sustained perfection of a specimen. It pains me to think of these beautiful pieces being tossed and thrown around on this equiptment resulting in broken and severly damaged pieces.

Any moldavite weighing above the average weight of 8.0 grams is very rare and valuable. 

41.6 grams (Actual Size)

Moldavite Deposits

There are many moldavite mines spread across the Czech Republic. The most famous are the deposits at Besednice, Locenice, Slavce, and Chlum, which produce the highest quality moldavite.Note: I have recently been informed that the vast majority of moldavite mines are now closed.

Some vendors claim there "moldavite" was mined in Africa. Please be aware moldavite is mined exclusively in the Czech Republic. This so-called "African Moldavite" is either green tsavorite or simply green glass.

In addition, elestial calcite has been called "white moldavite" due to its moldavite like skin texture. Again, please be aware this is NOT moldavite.  

Moldavite as a Gem

Moldavite can be cut, faceted, and polished to be used as a gemstone. A cut moldavite is very fragile and can scratch easily. Most jewelry stores do not stock moldavite since it is not often used as a gemstone, thus making cut moldavite extremely rare. I have yet to see a jewelry store carry a single article of faceted moldavite jewelry, in contrast I have seen some raw moldavite wire-wrap pendant pieces. Moldavite makes gorgeous jewelry, faceted or raw. 

Faceted Moldavite

Counterfeit Moldavite

It is sad, some unscrupulous people out there are forging fake moldavite. They realize it is a very rare stone and decide to sell manufactured moldavite instead of finding a reputable dealer of genuine specimens. One must be careful when buying moldavite, let alone any other article of value. The good news is, manufactured moldavite can easily be spotted when you have seen what the true stone looks like. A false piece is usually very smooth and very bottle green in color. Unfortunately, the counterfeiters are using a new method of forging moldavite by casting a mold of a real stone and then filling the mold with green bottle glass they get out of the trash. This makes it harder for us to distinguish the genuine from the forged. I encourage everyone to be knowledgeable when buying moldavite and as the saying goes, "Buyer Beware". (Note: Every piece of moldavite I sell is guranteed authentic, or your money back.)

Example of a False Moldavite

Example of an Authentic Moldavite (Back-lit)

Metaphysical Properties of Moldavite

Moldavite is thought by some to posses mystical powers and strong energies. These powers include, among others, the ability to facilitate communication with extraterrestrial beings (due to it's meteoric origin) and the power to psychically transcend time. Some people say they experience heat emanating from the stone when held. My personal feeling on the "power" of moldavite is this; E.T has yet to phone home and I couldn't predict the future if my life depended on it. I believe this; an object only has a much power as you give to it. I will leave it up to you to decide what power moldavite has, if any.