Moldavite
Moldavite is a tektite (impact-derived glas mineral recognized among collectors for its crystal form and distribution.
Moldavite is a translucent green tektite — a natural glass formed by a meteorite impact about 15 million years ago — found only in the Czech Republic.
About Moldaviteextended article
Moldavite is a bottle-green to olive natural glass and one of the most sought-after tektites. It is not a crystal but an impact glass, formed when a large meteorite struck what is now southern Germany about 14.7 million years ago, creating the Ries crater.
How moldavite formed
The impact melted and vaporised terrestrial rock and flung it high into the atmosphere; droplets of molten material cooled in flight and fell as glass across a strewn field hundreds of kilometres to the east. Moldavite takes its name from the Moldau (Vltava) River in Bohemia, near which many pieces are found, and its surface is often deeply sculpted and etched — a feature collectors prize.
Where it is found
Moldavite occurs in only one region of the world: the southern Czech Republic (Bohemia and Moravia), with minor occurrences in neighbouring Austria. This single source, combined with steady demand, makes good moldavite genuinely scarce.
For collectors
Deeply textured raw pieces with strong, even green colour are the most desirable; faceted moldavite is also cut as a gem. Because demand is high and the source limited, imitations exist — provenance and the natural etched surface matter.
About Moldavite
Moldavite is classified as a tektite (impact-derived glas mineral in the tektites (not a mineral group) and has the chemical formula SiO2-rich with Al2O3, FeO, MgO etc. (tektite — impact glass). It crystallizes in the amorphous system and holds a steady position among tektite (impact-derived glas species. Its combination of structural character and global distribution make it a recognized species in both systematic and aesthetic collections.
Identification & care
Crystals commonly develop as irregular, aerodynamic shapes (teardrop, dumbbell, disk) from flight through atmosphere; surface sculpted (lechatelierite inclusions). Its color is typically deep bottle green, olive green and brownish green. The luster is vitreous, the streak is white, and specimens range from transparent to translucent. The fracture is conchoidal, which is one of its key identifying features.
Collector context
How it forms
The geological setting for Moldavite is typically cosmic impact event — nördlingen ries crater, germany (~15 million years ago) ejected molten rock that cooled in flight to form tektites. It is commonly found in association with lechatelierite (silica glass inclusions within moldavite).
Why collectors care
Moldavite is a frequently-sought species in serious collections because its habit is recognizable, its color often strong, and its best examples unmistakable even at a distance. Chinese material has driven much of the recent visual shift in the species — sharper crystals, deeper colors, cleaner matrix.
What affects value
Value in Moldavite is assessed, in typical order of weight, against: (1) locality provenance; (2) size relative to the species norm; (3) crystal form and termination sharpness; (4) color saturation and zoning; (5) transparency and internal clarity; (6) matrix quality and aesthetic balance; (7) condition (absence of damage, chips, or repair). Cleaning quality and verified locality documentation act as multipliers across the above.
Naming history
The name Moldavite has a specific etymological and historical context — see Mindat's reference entry for provenance details. We have retained naming data at the record level; published prose is paraphrased from factual fields rather than copied from source.
Frequently asked questions
What is Moldavite?
Moldavite is a tektite (impact-derived glas mineral recognized among collectors for its crystal form and distribution.
What is the chemical formula of Moldavite?
The chemical formula of Moldavite is SiO2-rich with Al2O3, FeO, MgO etc. (tektite — impact glass).