Moldavite is a rare gem that is sure to draw fascination. It is sometimes referred to as the gemstone that fell from the sky, although it is actually a tektite. Moldavite was created from a meteorite collision with earth about 15 million years ago. This collision took place in Southern Germany creating the Nördlingen crater. It can only be found in one place in the world, the Czech Republic. When the meteorite collided with the surface of the earth it broke apart and the extreme heat from the impact formed a silica glass that was thrown hundreds of kilometers away landing in the Czech Republic. Moldavite was first discovered is 1786 and called chrysolite. The term Moldavite was first introduced in 1836, named after the Moldau River in Bohemia where the first pieces of Moldavite were found. Most Moldavite mines were already closed by the early 2000s. By 2020 the mine in Chlum had been the only legally open mine for Moldavite and has just stopped allowing mining as of February 2021.Due to its rarity and high demand, fake Moldavite is frequently created and found on the market. These fake Moldavite are usually just green colored glass.

This brings up the question, how can you tell if a Moldavite is real? The first thing people usually look for is a certificate of authenticity. Unfortunately, certificates are also commonly faked. Writing up and printing a certificate of authenticity can easily be done in this time and age. The truth is having any mineral examined by a gemologist or scientist is expensive and most mine owners will not certify specimens less than 5 grams in size. True certificates of authenticity are reserved for larger museum quality pieces and the cost certification is rolled in to the price of the Moldavite. Price is the first indication of real moldavite. Moldavite is priced by its weight in grams and unlike other minerals, the price per gram increases the larger the specimen is. Moldavite is the only tektite that has gem quality specimens. Gem quality Moldavite is especially translucent and is measured in carats. Exceptionally inexpensive Moldavite is sure to be fake. The country where the moldavite was originally purchased is also a good indicator. Ninety-five percent of exports of fake moldavite come from China, India, Thailand, and Vietnam. Of course, you need to look at the specimen itself to determine if it is real. Moldavite is translucent and can range in color from pale green, olive green, and in more rare cases brown. The surface of Moldavite is glossy and covered in unique striations. No two pieces are alike. Moldavite with a smooth, matte, or super high gloss surface are sure to be fake. Moldavite is in the range of 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale but glass is also in the range of 5.5 to 7 in hardness. The most determining factor of true Moldavite is its inclusions. Under magnification, true Moldavite has irregular shaped air bubbles and lechatelierite inclusions. Using a magnifying glass with at least 10x magnification you can see these irregular air bubbles. Scientists found that the pressure in the bubbles is in the range of 40 – 50 hPa. This means the pressure is about 20 – 25x lower than the pressure of the sea surface. This finding confirmed the theory that the Moldavite passed through the stratosphere.

Another rare and interesting discovery is Angel Chime Moldavite. Angel Chime Moldavite accounts for only 1% of all Moldavite discovered. They are named Angel Chime because of the sound they make when they hit another Moldavite or hard surface. The sound is like a gentle chiming. This phenomenon is caused by the molecular structure within the Moldavite. Angel Chime Moldavite has a high internal tension caused by a quicker solidification from its molten form to a hard glass. This type of Moldavite has an even higher vibration. 

Moldavite is a high vibrational stone and is one of the synergy 12. The synergy 12 are a collection of 12 high vibrational stones that activate the light body and accelerate spiritual ascension and evolution. Moldavite has an intense frequency that is often easily felt, even by people who usually don't feel the energy of crystals. Holding Moldavite can produce a range of symptoms including feeling a sensation of heat, a tingling feeling, a racing heart beat, sweating, flushing, light-headedness, emotional outbursts of laughing or crying, nausea, and even vomiting. Sometimes working with grounding stones in combination with Moldavite helps you to adjust to its intense vibration. Moldavite uncovers the reasons and purpose for why one is here, and eases the “homesickness” for those whose origin is not Earth. It is a powerful aid for meditation, increasing intuition and telepathy, and being able to understand messages from higher realms. It opens the crown chakra and quickens ones spiritual evolution. This crystal manifests positive life change, sometimes abruptly. It is believed by some that the Emerald Tablet was actually written on a Moldavite slab. There are also legends that Moldavite was the green stone in the Holy Grail.

Pictures of real Moldavite-

Under magnification you can easily see irregular sized air bubbles and stringy lechatelierite inclusions.

Real Moldavite has irregular shapes, deep unique striations, and never comes in bright green.

Pictures of fake Moldavite-

This fake Moldavite is too glossy giving a wet appearance.

These fake Moldavite beads are too matte and uniform in appearance.

These fake Moldavite beads have zero inclusions are too "clean" in appearance.

This fake Moldavite shows striations that are too uniform.

These fake Moldavite show the shape and striations too uniform.

People are getting very good at faking Moldavite. The top two Moldavite pictured are real Moldavite and the bottom two pictures are fake Moldavite from China. Magnification to look for inclusions is the only way to tell them apart.

Stephanie Nastasia

Magic@dreamerapothecary.com