Moldavite
| Colour | Green |
|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 5.5 |
| Lustre | Vitreous |
| Crystal system | Amorphous |
| Transparency | Opaque, translucent, transparent |
| Chemical formula | SiO 2 (+Al 2 O 3 ) |
| Specific gravity | 2.32 to 2.38 |
What is Moldavite?
Moldavite is a forest green, olive green or blue greenish vitreous silica projectile glass formed by a meteorite impact in southern Germany that occurred about 15 million years ago. It is a type of tektite and a gemstone. Material ejected from the impact crater includes moldavite, which was strewn across parts of Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria.
How to identify Moldavite
- Lustre: Vitreous.
- Hardness: Mohs 5.5 — about as hard as a steel knife.
- Habit: Amorphous crystal system.
Moldavite in different forms
Stones often confused with Moldavite
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Moldavite?
Moldavite is Mohs 5.5 on the hardness scale.
What colour is Moldavite?
Moldavite is typically green (Olive green).