Gem Profile- Moldavite
Today we look at Moldavite
Moldavite
Millions of years ago, meteors huge rocks from space slammed into the Earth, forming impact craters.
Traveling at extreme speeds, these meteors were incredibly hot when entering the atmosphere, becoming meteorites. Since 90% of the Earth's crust is made of silicate minerals, or forms of quartz mixed with other minerals, the intense heat from a meteorite could melt parts of the Earth's surface.
When a meteorite hit a puddle of melted minerals, its material sometimes combined with the Earth's, forming a new substance that splashed through the air and hardened either in flight or after landing.
These materials could fall hundreds of miles from the original impact in areas called strewnfields.
Due to the Earth's abundant silica, most of these substances formed a type of glass called tektite, from the Greek word tektos, meaning "melted."
Millions of years ago, meteors huge rocks from space slammed into the Earth, forming impact craters.
Traveling at extreme speeds, these meteors were incredibly hot when entering the atmosphere, becoming meteorites. Since 90% of the Earth's crust is made of silicate minerals, or forms of quartz mixed with other minerals, the intense heat from a meteorite could melt parts of the Earth's surface.
When a meteorite hit a puddle of melted minerals, its material sometimes combined with the Earth's, forming a new substance that splashed through the air and hardened either in flight or after landing.
These materials could fall hundreds of miles from the original impact in areas called strewnfields.
Due to the Earth's abundant silica, most of these substances formed a type of glass called tektite, from the Greek word tektos, meaning "melted."
The olive to grayish or brownish-green tektite known as moldavite is an amazing material.
It is found mainly in the strewnfield covering parts of the Czech Republic, Austria, and Germany, and is believed to result from the Ries impact crater in Germany.
The name moldavite comes from either the Moldau (Vltava) River or the town of Moldauthein, where it was first documented geologically.
Although there are three other recognized strewnfields on Earth, such as the Chesapeake Bay impact crater that produced greenish-yellow tektites reaching Georgia, transparent green moldavite is found only in one area.
While most follow the scientific consensus, some people still believe moldavite "fell to Earth" as a gemstone from the heavens, similar to ancient cultures that called every transparent green stone "emerald."
Part of Dale's personal moldavite collection. Notice the different shades of olive to grayish green and the very cool "splatter" shapes.
It is found mainly in the strewnfield covering parts of the Czech Republic, Austria, and Germany, and is believed to result from the Ries impact crater in Germany.
The name moldavite comes from either the Moldau (Vltava) River or the town of Moldauthein, where it was first documented geologically.
Although there are three other recognized strewnfields on Earth, such as the Chesapeake Bay impact crater that produced greenish-yellow tektites reaching Georgia, transparent green moldavite is found only in one area.
While most follow the scientific consensus, some people still believe moldavite "fell to Earth" as a gemstone from the heavens, similar to ancient cultures that called every transparent green stone "emerald."
Part of Dale's personal moldavite collection. Notice the different shades of olive to grayish green and the very cool "splatter" shapes.
Moldavite has been dated to more than 14.7 million years old.
Mid- to late-Stone Age Paleolithic humans valued moldavite, as shown by archaeologists who found fragments and amulets near the "Venus of Willendorf" statue in Austria, dating from 24,000 to 22,000 BCE.
European jewelers have used moldavite in jewelry for generations, often paired with rich Bohemian garnets, though modern jewelers didn't start using it until the late 19th century.
Because much of the air-hardened glass shattered upon impact, moldavite is usually found in smaller pieces weighing 6 to 7 grams, though some can exceed 20 grams.
The largest specimen ever found, weighing 238 grams (just over half a pound), is on display at the National Museum in Prague.
Mid- to late-Stone Age Paleolithic humans valued moldavite, as shown by archaeologists who found fragments and amulets near the "Venus of Willendorf" statue in Austria, dating from 24,000 to 22,000 BCE.
European jewelers have used moldavite in jewelry for generations, often paired with rich Bohemian garnets, though modern jewelers didn't start using it until the late 19th century.
Because much of the air-hardened glass shattered upon impact, moldavite is usually found in smaller pieces weighing 6 to 7 grams, though some can exceed 20 grams.
The largest specimen ever found, weighing 238 grams (just over half a pound), is on display at the National Museum in Prague.
Colored by iron and high in silica, moldavite is prized for its odd-shaped, sculptured appearance.
Its resemblance to green plants with sharp or rounded spines appeals to jewelry artists. This type, called "splash" or "splatter" moldavite, formed from the speed it traveled through the air and the soft glass upon impact.
Common shapes include teardrops, tubes, barbells, individual branches, and ornamental kale leaves. Unlike man-made glass, moldavite usually contains elongated gas and air bubble inclusions and never crystals, unlike volcanic glass.
The best moldavite is translucent, though thick pieces appear more opaque without bright backlighting. Transparent pieces are often faceted.
With a Mohs hardness of 6.5-7, moldavite is also used for cabochons, New Age items, and small carvings.
A freeform piece of moldavite that has a natural, rough back and a checkerboard cut top. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
Its resemblance to green plants with sharp or rounded spines appeals to jewelry artists. This type, called "splash" or "splatter" moldavite, formed from the speed it traveled through the air and the soft glass upon impact.
Common shapes include teardrops, tubes, barbells, individual branches, and ornamental kale leaves. Unlike man-made glass, moldavite usually contains elongated gas and air bubble inclusions and never crystals, unlike volcanic glass.
The best moldavite is translucent, though thick pieces appear more opaque without bright backlighting. Transparent pieces are often faceted.
With a Mohs hardness of 6.5-7, moldavite is also used for cabochons, New Age items, and small carvings.
A freeform piece of moldavite that has a natural, rough back and a checkerboard cut top. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
Research suggests an intriguing connection between moldavite and the Holy Grail.
Some scholars speculate that the Grail may have been carved from moldavite.
One legend tells of Napoleon being presented with a green glass cup while seeking the truth of Christianity, which he discarded.
Another story speaks of a golden chalice adorned with moldavite that was lost during World War II.
Metaphysical uses of moldavite include placing it under a pillow to encourage dreaming or carrying it in a pocket to invite positive life changes.
It is known as "an awakener and accelerator of our spiritual evolution."
Some scholars speculate that the Grail may have been carved from moldavite.
One legend tells of Napoleon being presented with a green glass cup while seeking the truth of Christianity, which he discarded.
Another story speaks of a golden chalice adorned with moldavite that was lost during World War II.
Metaphysical uses of moldavite include placing it under a pillow to encourage dreaming or carrying it in a pocket to invite positive life changes.
It is known as "an awakener and accelerator of our spiritual evolution."
Natural moldavite is incredibly unique in its shapes and color, but because it is so rare, beware of counterfeits.
There is no such thing as "African" moldavite. Green glass from places like Tanzania is often clear and bright, like an old soda or beer bottle, and usually contains no gas or air bubbles. Pieces with round bubbles are not genuine moldavite.
Some counterfeiters melt glass and pour it into molds made from real moldavite, but unlike snowflakes, no two moldavite pieces are identical, and molded glass lacks the sharp tines of real moldavite.
Another trick is melting old glass and pouring it onto the earth, then grinding or tumbling away the dirt to sell it as "facet grade" moldavite. Material marketed as "blue" moldavite is likely labradorite.
A piece of glass that was labeled and sold as facet-grade "African" moldavite. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
There is no such thing as "African" moldavite. Green glass from places like Tanzania is often clear and bright, like an old soda or beer bottle, and usually contains no gas or air bubbles. Pieces with round bubbles are not genuine moldavite.
Some counterfeiters melt glass and pour it into molds made from real moldavite, but unlike snowflakes, no two moldavite pieces are identical, and molded glass lacks the sharp tines of real moldavite.
Another trick is melting old glass and pouring it onto the earth, then grinding or tumbling away the dirt to sell it as "facet grade" moldavite. Material marketed as "blue" moldavite is likely labradorite.
A piece of glass that was labeled and sold as facet-grade "African" moldavite. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
Moldavite has always been a very special stone, and it is now almost extinct.
Several mines in the Ries impact crater strewnfield have played out. In 2010, a Czech moldavite dealer reported digging more than 10 meters down with very little moldavite found.
When I purchased my first specimens around 1995, they cost $2 per gram. By 2010, the price had risen to $12 per gram, not including the designer pieces I sought.
I'm content with my collection and hesitate to use any in jewelry without a prepaid custom order.
Several mines in the Ries impact crater strewnfield have played out. In 2010, a Czech moldavite dealer reported digging more than 10 meters down with very little moldavite found.
When I purchased my first specimens around 1995, they cost $2 per gram. By 2010, the price had risen to $12 per gram, not including the designer pieces I sought.
I'm content with my collection and hesitate to use any in jewelry without a prepaid custom order.
Resources
Print Resources:
The Book of Stones and What They Teach by Naisha Ahsian and Robert Simmons, ISBN 1-5564-3668-8
Collecting Rocks, Gems and Minerals by Patti Polk, ISBN 1-4402-0415-2
Gemstones of the World by Walter Schumann, ISBN 0-8069-3088-8
Moldavite: Starborn Stone of Transformation Kathy Warner and Robert Simmons, ISBN 0-9621-9100-0
Internet Resources:
europeanhistory.about.com
www.radio.cz
www.wikipedia.org
Print Resources:
The Book of Stones and What They Teach by Naisha Ahsian and Robert Simmons, ISBN 1-5564-3668-8
Collecting Rocks, Gems and Minerals by Patti Polk, ISBN 1-4402-0415-2
Gemstones of the World by Walter Schumann, ISBN 0-8069-3088-8
Moldavite: Starborn Stone of Transformation Kathy Warner and Robert Simmons, ISBN 0-9621-9100-0
Internet Resources:
europeanhistory.about.com
www.radio.cz
www.wikipedia.org
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Dale Armstrong
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