Moldavite, the green gem

The Origin of Moldavite

About 14 million years ago, an asteroid hit the Earth, resulting in the creation of the Nördlinger Ries crater. This collision caused fragmentation of the meteorite and launched pieces of the meteorite along with terrestrial rocks into the atmosphere, which later crashed hundreds of kilometers away in the Czech Republic. The Nördlinger Ries crater, with a diameter of 24 km, is located at the site where the historical German town of Nördlingen now stands.

The Cosmic Journey of Moldavite

Research into the bubbles trapped in South Bohemian Moldavites reveals the extraterrestrial properties of this mysterious green stone. The pressure inside these bubbles is notably low, indicating formation in an environment with significantly lower pressure, like in the upper atmosphere of Earth. The aerodynamic shape of many Moldavites suggests that they flew through the air from the impact crater in Germany to their find locations in the Czech Republic.

Unique Gemstone-Tektite

Moldavite is the only tektite with gemstone quality, granting it a unique place among gemstones. The variety in size, shape, texture, and green hues makes Moldavite highly desirable. Collectors have a particular preference for the authentic rough form of Moldavites, ranging from deeply etched to almost smooth surfaces with fine line play.

Naming of Moldavite

The name Moldavite is closely linked to the location where it is found, namely near the Vltava River in the Czech Republic. The Czech term for Moldavite is 'vltavín', derived from this river. In German, the river is called 'Moldau', and the town 'Týn nad Vltavou' is called 'Moldauthein'. Dr. Josef Mayer, who reported the peculiar green stones in 1786, lived in this town. The name Moldavite ultimately derives from the Bohemian town where the discoverer resided.

Findings of Moldavite

The most extensive deposits of Moldavite have been discovered in the upper watershed of the Vltava between Prachatice and Trhovými Sviny, and south and west of České Budějovice in the Czech Republic. Moldavites have also been found in Moravia, sometimes called Moravite, which have a more brown color. These are less loved than the green Bohemian variants. A small amount of Moldavite has also been found in Austria, but these are browner in color and of lesser quality.

Revelation of Moldavite

Dr. Josef Mayer, a professor of natural history at Charles University in Prague at the end of the 17th century, was the first to discover Moldavite and write about this marvelous stone. Initially, he believed this green "natural glass" was a beryl of volcanic origin. Only centuries later was it revealed that this stone is a byproduct of a meteorite impact.

Future Availability of Moldavite

The increasing popularity and the limited number of locations where Moldavite can be found have led to a rapidly decreasing availability. Estimates suggest that the commercial mining of this extraterrestrial gemstone can continue for at most a decade before it is depleted. Prices have risen in recent years and are likely to continue to rise in the future as scarcity increases.

Also read:

• Our travel report: The dark trade in moldavite  
• Our blog: The Mystery of Moldavite