What's That Rock?Moldavite
A bottle-green natural glass formed when a large meteorite hit Earth about 15 million years ago, in what is now Central Europe.
How to identify Moldavite
- Green glass with twisted, etched surface patterns
- Often shaped like drops, discs or teardrops
- Surface marks look like tree bark or worm tracks
Often confused with
- Green bottle glass
- Other tektites
- Green obsidian
Real or fake?
- Fake moldavite is common and sold as glass with etched designs; check the surface texture carefully and buy from reputable sellers
Is Moldavite valuable?
Moderate to high; fakes are common.
Typical retail prices
Piece$3–20per gram
Priced per gram. Fakes are very common.
Typical retail ranges in US dollars, compiled from public dealer and marketplace listings in October 2026. Real prices vary widely with quality, size and origin. This is general information, not an appraisal.
What changes the price
- Color and sculpture: deep bottle green with strong, natural surface sculpture is prized
- Authenticity: fakes (glass with etched surfaces) are very common, buy from reputable sellers
- Size and shape: complete pieces and large, well-sculpted specimens cost more
- Origin: genuine Czech (Bohemian) moldavite is the market standard
Uses
- Collecting and jewelry
Care
Brittle. Avoid hard knocks.
Identifying a stone from a description or a photo is an estimate. Many stones look alike. Ask an expert or a gem lab before you buy, sell or rely on an identification.
Updated October 2026