description Moldavite Overview
Moldavite is a natural glass classified as a tektite, formed from terrestrial material melted and ejected during the meteorite impact that created the Ries crater in present-day Germany. It is usually translucent and ranges from pale to deep forest green, often with a sculpted or pitted surface. Most recognized moldavite comes from strewn fields in the Czech Republic and is used in jewelry and mineral collecting.
help Moldavite FAQ
Which impact created moldavite?
Moldavite is linked to the impact that formed the Ries crater in southern Germany about 15 million years ago. It is a tektite, meaning natural glass formed from material melted and ejected during an impact. [AMNH](https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent/meteorites/meteorite-impacts/earth-impacts/flying-glass/moldavite)
Why is moldavite mostly associated with the Czech Republic if the crater is in Germany?
Impact glass was scattered across central Europe, and much of the gem-quality material is recovered in the Czech Republic, especially Bohemia. The stone takes its name from the Moldau River, called the Vltava in Czech.
How can moldavite be distinguished from green bottle glass?
Natural moldavite often has an irregular, sculpted surface and characteristic bubbles or flow textures inside the glass. Color alone is not proof, so an expensive specimen should be checked by a qualified gemologist.
Is moldavite a meteorite?
No. Moldavite is impact glass made mainly from melted terrestrial material, while a meteorite is a surviving fragment of extraterrestrial rock or metal.
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