Identifying Real or Fake Moldavite: A Complete Guide

01Characteristics of Authentic Moldavite

• Weight and price per gram: in stores, A-grade moldavite weighing 1–10 g costs approximately €31–60 per gram (average weight 3–4 g). With obvious chipping (Regular or B grade), it drops to €20–30 per gram.
• Factors that increase the price: weights above 20 g, rare exhausted localities (e.g., Besednice), primary shapes (droplets, disks, rods, dumbbells), premium textures (Hedgehogs, snowflakes), and rare features such as an Angel Chime or beautiful inclusions. Details in the 15-factor valuation guide.
• Locations: the most well-known are Besednice, Chlum, and Zatáčka, all in Southern Bohemia, where 99% of moldavite is found. Complete map in where moldavite is found.
• Shape: each stone is as unique as a snowflake. See how it formed and the guide to shapes.
• Color: from light green to brown, most often bottle green; some localities (Zatáčka) appear very dark. Learn more in colors.
• Sculpture: from deep to smooth, influenced by sediments (clay, sand, gravel) and depth of discovery.
• Luster: variable, from brilliant to completely opaque.
• Opacity: moldavite is never transparent like green glass; even thin pieces remain opaque.
• Lechatelierite: fine wavy lines of quartz glass, visible only in genuine polished or faceted moldavite. It is impossible to fake.

02Lechatelierite Up Close

This detail is visible only in genuine polished and faceted moldavite:

03Gallery of Authentic Moldavite

Real examples from our catalog, in natural light and backlit:

Dobrkovska Lhotka – 29,2g

BacklitDobrkovska Lhotka – 29,2g

Marouskovo pole – 7,1g

BacklitMarouskovo pole – 7,1g

Slavce u CB – 12,7g

BacklitSlavce u CB – 12,7g

Krasejovka – 12,5g

BacklitKrasejovka – 12,5g

Vetrna Hurka – 3,8g

BacklitVetrna Hurka – 3,8g

Chlum nad Malsi – 8,4g

BacklitChlum nad Malsi – 8,4g

Besednice Jezkovna – 2,4g

BacklitBesednice Jezkovna – 2,4g

Maly Chlum – 2,6g

BacklitMaly Chlum – 2,6g

Marouskovo pole – 4,1g

BacklitMarouskovo pole – 4.1g

Jakule – 1.8g

BacklitJakule – 1.8g

04Buying recommendations

• Buy from trusted and knowledgeable sellers, preferably those specializing in moldavite: fakes even appear in retail stores.
• Educate yourself on what real moldavite looks like, by comparing real and fake examples.
• Look for four key details: multiple images (front and back), precise weight to one decimal place (e.g., 10.1g), dimensions (width, length, thickness), and photos of the specific piece — never generic images.
• Jewelry: it's easier to evaluate raw moldavite than polished or faceted pieces.
• Avoid eBay/AliExpress from China, Hong Kong, India, and Thailand: this will help you avoid about 95% of fakes.

05What fake moldavite looks like

• Price: fakes range from about €3 per gram up to imitating genuine prices.
• Color: from a "wet" glassy green to improbable colors (yellow, blue, red).
• Transparency: often appears as transparent and shiny green glass.
• Shape: from spheres or drops that are too perfect to jagged shapes obtained with molds (sign: the exact same piece in multiple copies).
• Surface: edges and texture that are too smooth, because they are obtained from molds or acid.
• Raw vs. faceted: raw is harder to fake; for faceted, you need to carefully look for bubbles and lechatelierite. It's better not to buy it if you are not sure.

Go to the complete gallery of fake moldavites →

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