The facts
What moldavite actually is
The species behind moldavite is tektite — impact glass, SiO₂-rich natural glass; it forms in the amorphous system.
Iron is responsible for the colour — and the chromophore, not the name, is what decides whether a colour is stable.
On the instruments it reads a refractive index of 1.48–1.54 and a specific gravity of about 2.32–2.40, with none cleavage.
Where moldavite comes from
Commercial material comes from Bohemia and Moravia, Czech Republic — from the Ries impact, 15 million years ago.
One source only — which is unusual, and which means an origin claim naming anywhere else is either a mistake or a different material.
Is moldavite treated?
None. **Counterfeits are rampant** — moulded green bottle glass with a fake etch pattern.
That makes disclosure simple: there is nothing to declare. It also means a seller offering a "treated" version of this material is offering something else.
What moldavite is confused with
Watch for Green bottle glass, Fused counterfeits and Peridot — these are what turn up sold under this name.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.48–1.54 and specific gravity 2.32–2.40 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What moldavite is used for
The trades that buy moldavite are mineral collecting, wellness and body care and jewellery. They do not want the same thing, and they do not pay in the same unit.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the specimen, by the kilo or by the carat.
Durability and care
Hardness 5.5–7; cleavage none. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
With no cleavage plane to worry about, the practical limit is abrasion rather than breakage, and it takes daily wear well.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What moldavite costs
Expect roughly $5–200/g, depending on quality.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is moldavite treated?
None. **Counterfeits are rampant** — moulded green bottle glass with a fake etch pattern.
Where does moldavite come from?
Bohemia and Moravia, Czech Republic — from the Ries impact, 15 million years ago. That is the only commercial source.
Is moldavite hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 5.5–7 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage plane, it handles daily wear well. The practical limit is gradual abrasion rather than chipping.
How much does moldavite cost?
Indicatively $5–200/g. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is moldavite confused with?
Most often Green bottle glass, Fused counterfeits and Peridot. A refractive index of 1.48–1.54 and a specific gravity near 2.32–2.40 separate it quickly.
What is moldavite used for besides jewellery?
mineral collecting and wellness and body care. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for moldavite?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about moldavite