Moldavite is a rare and unique gemstone that is prized for its beauty and spiritual properties. However, because of its high value, it is often imitated and counterfeited by unscrupulous sellers. In this article, we give you the practical tools to confidently differentiate authentic Moldavite from the many imposters.
Identifying Genuine Moldavite
Learn how to identify genuine Moldavite with this expert guide, ensuring you invest in authentic Moldavite. Follow these guidelines so you can be sure you are buying the genuine article.
Origin
Genuine Moldavite is only found in the Czech Republic and is formed from a meteorite impact. Be sure to ask the seller about the origin of the Moldavite and do your own research to verify their claims. Fake Moldavite, on the other hand, may be made from glass, other green stones or even synthetic materials.
Price
One of the most obvious signs of a fake Moldavite is its price. Genuine Moldavite is quite expensive, with prices ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars per carat, depending on the quality and size of the stone. Consider the price. Moldavite is a rare gemstone, and as such, it can be quite expensive.
Size
True Moldavite was birthed from a violent, meteorite explosion that shattered its elements into millions of small pieces. Most genuine Moldavite is in the range of ⅛” - 2” weighing only grams, not ounces or pounds The largest piece ever found was 8 ounces about 230 gm. The largest authentic collector grade pieces tend to be flatter and spread out in their dimensions and are valued by weight, condition and rarity of shape. The museum size pieces are still quite small compared to other crystals like Quartz, Calcites and Agates.
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Color
Real Moldavite is a unique, olive green or forest green color that is unlike any other gemstone. It is often described as having a "glowing" appearance. Fake Moldavite, on the other hand, may have a duller, less vibrant color or an unreal, bright neon appearance and may be uniform in color, without natural variations. Recently some people have been selling “new colors” of purple, white, pink or black Moldavite claiming they are just discovered and rare. This is definitely a fraudulent claim.
Texture
Real Moldavite exhibits unique “flowing lines” and bubbles that are almost impossible to duplicate. Often you will see small lines or tiny rods of black Lechatelierite wiithin the stone. The surface may have a somewhat dull or even slightly frosted appearance, rather than being shiny like glass. However, polished or faceted Moldavite for jewelry will have a smooth and glossy appearance. Recently, some mold makers in Asia have been perfecting texture replication by casting molds of real Moldavite to make glass look more like the genuine article. They also use tools to rough up the surface or acid etching to make their fakes harder to detect.
Inclusions
Look for inclusions. Real Moldavite most often has small inclusions, or imperfections, visible under magnification. These may be tiny air bubbles or other foreign materials that were trapped in the stone as it formed.
Scientific Tests
There is a variety of equipment used to verify genuine Moldavite but these are not readily available to the public. However, a gem tester is a device that uses heat to determine the type of gemstone you are dealing with. Genuine Moldavite has a very high melting point and will not be affected by the heat of a gem tester. Fake Moldavite, on the other hand, will melt or change color when subjected to heat.
Certificate of Authenticity
Many reputable sellers of Moldavite will provide a certificate of authenticity with the stone. This certificate can help to verify that the Moldavite is genuine. However, some dishonest dealers are now providing fake COA’s which are hard to distinguish.
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Buy from a Reputable Dealer
To ensure that you are getting genuine Moldavite, it is advised to purchase the stone from a reputable dealer. Look for sellers who have been selling Moldavite for many years and have a verifiable good reputation. You can look for customer reviews, their online blogs and knowledge base and if they carry books on Moldavite that detail authenticity.
Moldavite Jewelry
One of the most common type of fake Moldavite is beads. You can buy green beaded bracelets online that mimic Moldavite’s unique rough texture for about $50. 100% guaranteed fake. It would be physically impossible to create a 3 dimensional rounded bead while preserving the Moldavite’s unique texture. Even polished beads would be extremely expensive. Authentic Moldavite beads are very rare, but they are made occasionally by skilled artisans in the Czech Republic. Again, only buy a Moldavite bead from a well known dealer.
For rings or pendants, polished Moldavite may look quite different than the raw pieces because polishing or faceting will cause light to reflect differently and may change the color appearance.
Moldavite Real vs Fake - 8 tips on how to tell the difference and prevent getting duped!
Moldavite Grades
Some of our Moldavites are graded as A/A+/A++/A+++. Many of our customers are asking why do we grade the Moldavites that way, and if there is any change to the healing properties of the Moldavite.
The answer for this is that the grading only means how perfect is the shape of the Moldavite and how rare it is to find this kind of shape. When the shape is more round, spiky, and perfect, the price goes up. It does not mean that the Moldavite is worthless, or not natural, or has fewer properties and benefits. The grading is only the quality and shape of the Moldavite, and as the quality and shape are nicer and more perfect, the price can go up.
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| Grade | Weight | Level of perfection | Texture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | less than 5 grams (25 carats) | May have noticeable chips or chips. | Smooth or minor surfacing. |
| Superior | 5 - 20 grams (25 - 100 carats) | Larger size possible minor chips | Smooth or minor surfacing. |
| Museum A | Over 10 grams (50 carats) | Larger size. Possible minor chips or chips. This class includes Besednice Hedgehogs with minor chip/s.This grade is based on quality rather than texture, except in the case of Besednice Hedgehogs where the texture will always be great. | |
| CollectorMuseum AA | over 20 grams (100+ carats) | Close to the top level of Moldavite perfection. This grade is only slightly inferior to the perfection of our Reserve Grade - due to a matter of opinion - my opinion that it didn’t quite make the cut. | Good texture, color, and shape. |
| Reserve Museum AAA | Over 20 grams or Perfect Besednice Hedgehogs of any size. | Perfect Moldavites only, no chips. Includes perfect Besednice Hogs of any size. Expect to pay accordingly. | Great texture and desirable shape. Perfection. |
Moldavite Localities
Genuine Moldavite is found in several localities throughout the Czech Republic, but not only there. Some have even been found in Germany and Austria! They are often discovered after a rainy day; however, they can also be unearthed by digging around 10 feet deep and locating them on the walls of your pit.
Digging for Moldavite has been outlawed since 2004, thus forcing many to remain hidden within forests that surround these areas.
Another interesting thing, is that stone shapes, colors and textures vary slightly from locality to the next.
Moldavite is quite rare, but it can be found if you know where to look. Some people even found it in while digging in their backyard!
České Budějovice Strewn Field
The vast majority of moldavite on the market today comes from this strewn field, and it includes some of the most well-known localities, including:
- Besednice
- Ločenice
- Chlum
Radomilice Strewn Field
Located in Southern Bohemia, this strewn field covers:
- Vodnany
- Prachatice
- Tyn nad Vitavou
- Zliv
There are no active mines in this area. All finds have been surface picked after bouts of heavy rain.
This region produces larger and clearer moldavites with breathtaking colors. You will find the best quality stones in Netolice, Radomilice, Malovice and Cerneves.
It is rare to find pieces from here, and the supply is unpredictable. Nevertheless, the moldavite from this strewn field is stunning.
Cheb Strewn Field
A newly discovered, small field with six localities producing moldavite. Only about 2,400 stones have been found here, with the largest being 36 grams.
Moravian Strewn Field
There are more than 50 known localities in this region. The first moldavites were discovered in Trebic at Slavice and Kozichovice.
This strewn field has produced some of the largest, rarest, and most valuable moldavites. The largest stones ranged from 150 to 238 grams.
Unfortunately, there is no active mining going on in this region. All specimens that have been found were discovered mostly by farmers after heavy rains.
