Moldavite is a fascinating and beautiful gemstone. It
is one of the rarest gems on earth, as it is only found in a few limited areas in the south of the Czech Republic. Why
this is so is the subject of much debate, but the most feasible explanation is that it was formed some 14.7 million years
ago as the result of a meteorite collision with the earth in an area of present day Germany a few hundred kilometres to the
west of southern Bohemia, forming the Ries crater, and projecting molten rock eastwards. The molten rock solidified as it
travelled back to earth, forming a natural glass which fell into an area of the Vlatava river valley (in German the Moldau
river, hence the name Moldavite), where it is still found today, albeit in ever-decreasing quantities.
This beautiful green mineral exists in various shapes,
the most prized of which are the leaf shapes from Besednice and the drop shapes from Chlum. The more perfect the shape and
the bigger the specimen, the more valuable it is. Moldavite is also found in irregular shapes which are used for cutting into
cabochons and faceted gemstones, for use in jewellery. Moldavite can vary from a dull pale green to a beautiful intense green,
and from opaque to the most stunning translucence, and its beauty is best appreciated when the stone is viewed against the
light.
Cut moldavite often contains visible natural gas bubbles,
and gems with bubble inclusions are very sought-after. The bubbles were formed before the material solidified nearly 15 million
years ago.
Moldavite is one of the most collectable of gemstones
because of the infinite variety of shapes produced as it solidified on its way through the atmosphere before landing on earth.
Some shapes and colours are more beautiful and desirable than others, but all have their own fascination for the collector.
Being a relatively soft substance of around 6/10 on the Mohs scale, faceted and cabochon stones are best set as pendants and
earrings to avoid damage, but moladavite rings are also very beautiful and can be worn provided the wearer exercises due care.
