Moldavite (tektite)

Item Description

Moldavite is a tektite, which formed (in brief sense) when an asteroid hit the earth, melted it, and then the unique melded combination of the two dropped back down essentially as molten globs of glass that cooled into these surreal shapes. Moldavites are a gemmy tektite that comes ONLY from Czechoslovakia. They used to be a mineralogical mystery, but scientists now tend to believe they are an impact material formed from a meteorite scorching the earth and launching melted fragments into the air. It is technically a green natural glass, formed from fused earth, in other words. The impact of a meteorite in Bavaria 15 million years ago (the present Ries crater) has thus yielded us a unique gem: They are fascinating naural objects and make very unique and pretty collector's stones. Specimens of this size and aesthetics, showing complete rind all around and without damage, are highly desirable. Usually, they are more blobby and round. This piece, however, looks crystallized (even though, technically, this is a glass and not a crystal). It is truly complete all around, and front and back. It masses 37.4 grams. This specimen was long in the Herb Obodda collection, European suite. It is an exceptional example of this unusual material! This was valued at $2400