Faceted Moldavite – Natural Glass Formed by a Meteorite Impact
Faceted moldavite is a cut and polished form of natural tektite glass. Moldavites formed approximately 14.8 million years ago when a cosmic body struck the Earth's surface in what is now Bavaria, Germany, creating the Ries crater. The impact melted terrestrial rocks and ejected molten material into the atmosphere. This material cooled during its flight and fell back to Earth, including the area of present-day South Bohemia. The resulting natural glass is known for its characteristic green shades. Cutting and polishing reveal its colour, transparency and internal structure.
Appearance and Properties
Faceted moldavites vary in colour, transparency and internal structure. Their shades range from light green through olive green to dark green, sometimes with a brownish tint. Carefully cut facets enhance the natural lustre of the moldavite and allow light to reveal the distinctive appearance of each piece.